Panthers’ inside game too much for visiting Penguins

Panthers’ inside game too much for visiting Penguins

Staff report

Youngstown

The Youngstown State men’s basketball team was in position to win its second consecutive game, but a late surge by Milwaukee led to a 66-55 road loss Thursday night.

Leading just 49-48 with 4:50 remaining, the Panthers (11-12, 4-6 Horizon League) went on a 13-0 run to seize control.

Bryce Nze and Jeremiah Bell each scored 17 points and Brock Stull scored nine points and added seven rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee.

YSU (6-16, 4-5 Horizon League) has dropped four of its last five games and has gone 1-5 since starting 3-0 in league play.

Freshman Garrett Covington led the Penguins with 15 points, with 13 coming in the second half. Fellow freshman Naz Bohannon was the only other Penguin to reach double figures with 13 points.

The Penguins jumped out to a 5-0 led in the opening minute of the first half but gave up the lead three minutes later.

YSU reclaimed the lead with 16:45 left in the second half, but it didn’t last long as Milwaukee’s Jeremiah Bell made a 3 on the Panthers’ next possession. Milwaukee held the lead the rest of the game.

YSU guard Cam Morse kept the Penguins in the game in the first half with all eight of his points.

Milwaukee outscored YSU 42-24 down low and held a 39-29 rebounding advantage.

The Panthers also got more production from their bench. Milwaukee’s reserves scored 18 points. YSU’s bench contributed eight points, six coming from Jeremiah Ferguson on two 3-pointers.

YSU’s defense helped the Penguins generate offense. The Penguins forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 21 points.

The Penguins will travel to Green Bay on Saturday for the final game of a two-game road trip.

Tip-off is at 1 p.m.