Dunn's double-double powers YSU

By Dan Hiner

dhiner@vindy.com

YOungstown

With the game in hand, Youngstown State forward Mary Dunn went to the free throw line. Her second attempt was short, but caught just enough rim to slide in.

It was that kind of day for Dunn, who finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds in the Penguins’ 77-66 win over Northern Kentucky on Monday at the Beeghly Center.

It was Dunn’s third double-double of the season. She recorded only one in 2017-18.

“I think that I’ve become a much better play all around,” Dunn said. “That’s definitely because of my teammates. I’m doing whatever I can to help.”

Dunn’s scoring came required a little extra effort. She converted three 3-point plays to help the Penguins stay in the game.

“[Converting three and-1s] really hypes all of us up,” Dunn said. “I knew that recently I hadn’t been finishing all that well. So today I needed to step it up.”

Dunn also finished with five blocks. According to YSU it was the most by a Penguin since Tish Walker recorded five in 2015. YSU recorded 10 blocks total, the most since March 2009.

“Mary’s always been very, very good on the offensive end,” YSU head coach John Barnes said. “She’s always been working hard to try to build that defensive side. I thought she had a really good defensive game against Wright State.

“Tonight, obviously, she had five blocks, 23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 for 7 from the free throw line. Heck of a line for her. We needed all of it.”

The Penguins (14-5, 6-2 Horizon League) outscored the Norse 40-15 in the final 14:19 of play, including 31-12 in the fourth quarter.

Sarah Cash finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and a steal. McKenah Peters scored 18 points with three assists. Peters was 9 of 10 from the free throw line and 3 of 5 from the field.

“It was a big-time team effort,” Barnes said. “A lot of players had big roles in this win. I’m proud of them getting it done.”

Kailey Clos scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Norse while Taylor Clos added 16 points.

The Norse (3-14, 2-5) entered the game shooting 26 percent from 3-point range. But Northern Kentucky started 3 for 3 from deep and held a 19-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

NKU shot 9-21 (42.9 percent) from behind the 3-point line. They entered the game averaging 5.9 3s per game.

“We missed some assignments early,” Barnes said. “They made some [3-pointers], it gave ‘em some confidence and they ran with it. Again, I thought they did a great job.”

The Penguins took a one-point lead early 22-19 in the second quarter following a 7-0 run, but the Norse went on an 11-2 run shortly after to reclaim the lead. YSU didn’t grab the lead again until the fourth quarter.

The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, but a leak in the roof postponed the game.

Barnes said the schedule change could have played a part in the Penguins’ slow start. But both teams had to adjust to the postponement.

“We got to be mentally sharp and focused and ready to go no matter what the situation is,” Barnes said. “The team knows that. I’m proud of them for not giving up, not letting down, finding a way.”

Horizon League Honors

Cash was named the Horizon League Player of the Week on Monday for her 22-point performance in YSU’s 83-68 win over Wright State on Friday.

Cash earned the award for the fourth time in her career and the first time this season. She is the fourth different Penguin to earn the distinction this year.