Archive for the ‘YSU Basketball’ Category

The lights just seem to project a higher magnitude when the words ESPN are attached to a camera. It is a treat to see Youngstown State play in a nationally televised game. It was also great marketing by the YSU Athletic Department to pack the house using reduced ticket prices. At night’s end, the Penguins could not pull out a victory, falling 69-59 to visiting Milwaukee.

Milwaukee held an 18-13 lead with 7:50 to go in the first half. YSU had earlier tied the game at 13 when DeAndre Mays delivered a perfect alley-oop pass to Kelvin Bright who slammed the pill home to absolutely rock the house.  Beeghly Center had not been that loud since the Kelly Pavlik fight in December.

Ricky Franklin hit a couple of consecutive long-range threes to jump the Milwaukee lead to 24-15 with 6:23 left in the first half. Franklin had already compiled 14 points and the Penguins needed to pay better attention to him.

The Penguins cut a little off of the lead right before the half when Ashen Ward nailed a three. At halftime, Milwaukee held a 31-23 advantage riding the hot hand of Franklin, whose trio of threes was pretty much the difference of a hard-played physical half.  YSU did not have a player with more than five points and shot just 1-10 from long distance.

At halftime, new YSU Football Coach Eric Wolford addressed the packed house promising that Youngstown State Football would be back on the map real soon and enticing the crowd to tailgate before the Spring game. Coach Wolford got a rousing ovation with all of his positive comments and is doing a great job promoting the future of football at YSU, especially the recruitment of local A-list talent.

The Penguins trailed 38-27 with 15:49 left in the game. Trailing by as many as 15, YSU started using a half-court press to rattle Milwaukee into committing a couple of turnovers.  Ashen Ward took the ball the length of the court off of a Milwaukee miss and layed it in as he was fouled. Ward also hit the free throw to cut the lead to 42-34 with 12:22 left in the contest.

DeAndre Mays got the crowd back into the action when he glided through traffic and hit a finger roll to trim Milwaukee’s lead to 45-41 with 7:28 left. Milwaukee went back to it’s most reliable source on offense, and Ricky Franklin again responded with another two points to make it 47-41.

With the Penguins down 50-44 with 4:39 remaining in the game, Mays again drove and scored. After James Eayrs converted for two to build the Milwaukee lead back to seven, Mays hit a three to cut the lead to just four points. Franklin responded again as he hit another three, his fourth, to re-establish the seven point lead at 56-49 with 1:59 left. Franklin finished the game with 21 points, taking high-scoring honors.

The Penguins went into ‘foul mode’  but Milwaukee was making the majority of their tosses from the charity stripe. Conversely, YSU could not score when they had the ball. The end result was a 69-59 Horizon League victory for the visiting team from Milwaukee.

After the game, Coach Jerry Slocum addressed the things that hurt his Penguins.  “We are not the type of team to take 27 three-point shots in a game, we took 20 more shots than they took and they had more turnovers.  We couldn’t make our shots tonight.”

Dallas Blocker had his best all-around performance of the season with eight points and eight rebounds.  Vytas Sulskis also scored 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds.  The Penguins will return to action on Sunday afternoon when they host Green Bay at 2 PM.

Eddie D’Haiti has endured plenty in the last few days.  Both of his parents were born in Haiti and he has many relatives and friends who still call the Hispanolia Island  their home.  D’Haiti has had contact with family since the January 12 earthquake which rocked the island and has claimed an estimated 200,000 lives, or 20% of it’s total population.  Relief efforts have been hampered due to aftershocks and difficulty getting to the heart of the disaster.  Meanwhile, back in Youngstown, a worried student-athlete can only pray for the safety and comfort of his own while trying to maintain some semblance of focus on his studies and playing basketball.

Paneech:  In what way are you affiliated with Haiti?

D’Haiti:  My parents are originally from Haiti.  I have a long history of family still living in Haiti as we speak.  From what I understand, everyone came through ok.  My grandmother, and all of my family and friends still there came through it.  It has been difficult to reach everyone back in Haiti because all of the power is down, so it is taking time.  I understand they are doing allright, but how allright are they?  Are they eating?  That kind of stuff.

Paneech:  Do you endorse a charity or a particular type of fund?

D’Haiti:  The easiest charity that I can ask people to get involved with is texting on their phones.  Alot of the carriers like A T & T and Sprint are offering a program where you can text donations, you don’t even have to get off of your couch.

***Ed. Note – By clicking this link, you can also donate used cell phones for recycling in which all proceeds will go to the Haitian relief effort.

Paneech:  Were you born in Haiti?

D’Haiti:  I was born in Orlando, Florida.  My parents were originally from Port-au-Prince and moved to Orlando before I was born.  I was lucky enough to go to Haiti.  Growing up as an American kid visiting Haiti, it was very cultural and fun, now it’s not the same. 

Paneech:  Talk about how you end up leaving Orlando for Youngstown.  It has to be culture shock when you look over your shoulder growing up and see Disney to looking over your shoulder now and seeing where there used to be a bunch of steel mills.

D’Haiti:  I love Orlando to death, it is just a wonderful place.  I felt it was very important to make a change in my life, I wanted to move out of state just to see more of the world.  When I came here on my visit, I really liked the campus.  The people were nice and the coaches were great guys and I wanted to be a part of it.  Youngstown, at least the campus, is a very peaceful place.  I’m really liking it and the people have been so wonderful here.

Paneech:  At the start of the season, the coaches and players of this team took exception to being picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League.  So far the team is playing like the seventh best team in the Horizon League.  What is the hurdle that the team is struggling to get over?

D’Haiti:  Once we can get over the hump, the sky is the limit for us.  I don’t want to say it’s mental or physical.  It seems like we don’t have all of the pieces to the puzzle in place yet.  Once we find those pieces, we can be rolling.  I came into this not physically ready, and that’s what I am working on getting better with right now.  I am learning so much from Dallas Blocker and Dan Boudler every day.

Paneech:  You pass well for a big guy.  Is it something you work on or is it instinct?

D’Haiti:  I believe it is a combination of both.  I like sharing the ball with my teammates, it’s no fun unless we all get some. 

Paneech:  What is the mood of this team right now?

D’Haiti:  We just want it so bad.  We’re not laid back, we definitely want to win badly.  We are just going after it and practice has been so much more intense.  Sometimes when we don’t get it and fall short, we grow as a team.  I don’t think we have the best talent in the Horizon League, but,  I also don’t think there is a team in the conference who wants to win as bad as we do.  There is alot of obvious frustration.  We are going after all of the little things and striving for perfection.

Paneech:  How much attention are you paying to the media coverage of Haiti?

D’Haiti:  I watch it every day, but I can’t watch it for too long because it makes me sick to my stomach.  Honestly, I can only stand watching it for about five minutes a day.  I just talk to my mom who has direct contact and she gives me all of the information as to what is going on. 

 

One Word Answers

Favorite Meal Of The Day:  Dinner. 

Favorite Breakfast Cereal:  Lucky Charms.

Favorite TV Show:  Family Guy.

Favorite Video Game:  I don’t play that much, I have more fun watching Ash [Ashen Ward] and Kelvin [Bright] play against each other.

Biggest Phobia:  Right now, the condition of my loved ones in Haiti.

Worst Habit:  Biting my nails.

Best Class You Have Taken At YSU:  Healthy Lifestyles.

Best Movie Ever Made:  Crash.

Who Was Your Favorite Disney Character Growing Up?  (laughs)  Mickey Mouse.

Who Was Your Favorite Orlando Magic Player?  I was kind of forced to be a Penny [Hardaway] fan.  I had the shoes, Little Penny.  Kevin Garnett is my overall favorite player of all-time.

 

Rachael Manuel is one of only two Senior players at Youngstown State University.  Times are tough and the win column is bare, but Manuel is making the most of her minutes on and off the court.  The Texas-born Lady Penguin gets it.  She knows that she and her fellow hoopsters are putting forth all they have and she credits her coaches for maintaining a positive outlook.  I recently caught up with Manuel and gained alot of respect for her because of her pleasant demeanor and academic approach.

Paneech:  Tell me about Grayslake, Illinois.

Manuel:  Grayslake is on the Northside of Chicago, actually closer to the Wisconsin border.  I was actually born and raised in Texas and moved to Illinois when I was in seventh grade, which is when I actually started playing basketball.  I go back twice a year, Christmas and Summer.  

Paneech:  Out of high school, you went to Southern Miss. and then transferred to YSU, what went wrong at Southern Miss?

Manuel:  I was happy at Southern Miss, it was a bigger university.  As far as basketball went I was the small fish in a big pond there.  I really wanted to look toward the Horizon League because all of the schools are pretty close to my house and it allowed my parents, who never missed my games, to have a chance to see me play more often.  By coming to a Horizon League school, my parents had the chance to see me almost every single game.

 

Paneech:  Tell me about the transition from Tisha Hill to Cindy Martin.

Manuel:  I only played under Coach Hill my redshirt year which meant I could only practice.  There was definitely a difference the next year when Coach Martin took over.  Coach Hill’s last year was very relaxed and laid back, while Coach Martin does things much more uptempo.

Paneech:  How important are your grades to you and why have you chosen Business / Accounting for a major?

Manuel:  I only have three classes left this semester and then I will graduate.  I’m still deciding what to do with it, but ultimately my goal is to work for the IRS, maybe in auditing.  My grades are really important to me, I always strive to get A’s.  Last semester, I had a 3.70 and overall I carry a 3.26, so my grades are important.  Coach Baugher is our academic coach and she has stressed the importance of good grades.  I don’t know where I will end up, it’s still all up in the air on whether I will try to go to grad school or try to get a job right away.

Paneech:  By the record, it has been a tough season.  Obviously a win would be great for this team, but what would it mean to you personally?

Manuel:  Personally, it would mean alot.  We need a win right now.  Everyone keeps trying and keeps pushing but you need the win to build on so that the whole team realizes ‘Yes! We Can!’ and build off of that.  I don’t think anyone on this team is giving up.  I feel a burden on my shoulders as a Senior and because I am playing so many minutes that when it happens, I will feel like I have fulfilled, at least, part of my role with this team.

Paneech:  Do you watch other sports?

Manuel:  I love watching college basketball.  I also love tennis, the Australian Open is going on right now.  I really like [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal.  I watch alot of sports on television, especially basketball.

Paneech:  What is like to have a birthday (October 30) so close to Halloween ?

Manuel:  It’s great!  Halloween is my favorite holiday.  You get to dress up and eat candy, birthday cake in there too.

Paneech:  What do you think about Jay Leno and what NBC is putting Conan O’Brien through?

Manuel:  I’m so upset because I love Conan O’Brien!  Just the other day, I went out and bought Conan’s 10th Anniversary Special.  I will be so upset if he doesn’t get picked up.

One Word Answers

Best Class Taken At YSU:  Business Calculus.

Biggest Phobia: Heights.

Favorite NFL Team:  Dallas Cowboys.

Worst Habit:  Biting My Nails.

Nicest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For You:  Some young boy held up a sign at a game and asked me to marry him, it was so cute (laughs).

Favorite Fast Food:   McDonald’s.  Quarter Pounder with Mac Sauce.

Favorite Soft Drink:   Diet Coke.

Favorite TV Show (non-sports):  No Reservations (Anthony Bourdain).

Best Friend On Team:  Kaitlyn March, but I am best friends with all of them.

One Word To Describe Winter:  Dreary.

Favorite Breakfast Cereal:  Lucky Charms.

Best Cartoon Ever Made:  Family Guy.

Butler rolled into Youngstown having handled the Lady Penguins the last seven times they had met.  Youngstown State also entered the contest as the only team in Division-I without a victory this season.  The odds were against Youngstown State coming out ahead, but when a struggling team compiles 25 turnovers, the end result can seldom be positive.  All of these factors weighed in as the Bulldogs handled the Penguins, 74-48, at Beeghly Center on Saturday.  Youngstown State has to be looking to the sky for answers (pictured, above).

With 9:37 left in the first half, Butler opened up a 14-10 lead. As the pattern of late has reflected, YSU has played respectably in the first half over their last few games. The only two Penguins to score in the first ten minutes were Brandi Brown and Kenya Middlebrooks.

Rachael Manuel hit a running hook from short distance to cut the lead to 18-12. With 2:28 left in the opening half, Butler’s Melanie Thornton took an errant pass the length of the floor and layed it in to give her team a 22-14 lead. It was the Penguins 16th turnover of the first half.

Butler would tack on four more points to hold a 28-14 lead at the half. Terra Burns headed the Butler attack with eight points. YSU got eight points and six rebounds from Brandi Brown. Neither team connected on a three-point shot in the first half. YSU also had 17 first half turnovers, too many to stay in the game.

Melanie Thornton, who led all scorers with 19 in the game, took matters over in the second half. Thornton only had four points at halftime but scored nine of Butler’s first 19 points in the second half. With 11:49 left in the game, Butler held a 47-28 lead.

With 7:47 left in the contest, the Bulldogs were well in control holding a 58-34 advantage. The situation that seemed to pose the biggest problems to YSU’s defense was the passing. More than half of Butler’s points were layups, many uncontested, off of strong passes from beyond the foul line.

Macey Nortey fouled out with 4:17 left in the game, leaving just one sub on the Penguins bench. Butler was ahead 68-36 and well on their way to improving to 10-6 on the season (3-2 Horizon League).

Maryum Jenkins was the second Penguin to foul out with just under a minute left in the game. There was no Penguins bench to finish the game with.

To her credit, Cindy Martin was still coaching, even down by more than 30 points. The players were not quitting and still hustling, they were just outmatched on this particular Saturday.  “They [the players] are the ones who have to deal with the embarrassment of the record.  They are classy and they are ladies both on and off of the floor and I have alot of respect for them.”

Brandi Brown colected a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  It was the seventh double-double of the year for Brown.  Martin knows that other teams realize Brown is now the go-to Penguin.  “Valpo doubled Brandi Brown.  Teams are trying to create gameplans to stop her because Brandi is among the conference leaders in rebounding and scoring.  We have to remember that she is just a Freshman and we have three-and-a-half more years to enjoy watching her.”

The Lady Penguins take to the road with stops in Cleveland, Detroit and Wright State starting next Saturday.

Youngstown State University came into their Horizon League matchup with Valparaiso as the only Division-I program without a victory.  Boki Dimitrov, one of the Lady Penguins leading scorers, was not dressed leaving the full active roster at seven.  For the first 17 minutes, YSU looked really good.  The rest of the night belonged to Valparaiso as the Crusaders shot an NBA-like 50% from three and handed YSU their 16th loss, 66-41.

YSU jumped out to a 14-9 lead with 11:27 left in the first half.  The combination of a good half-court defense accented with strong rebounding and sloppy Valpo passing were contributing factors to the early Penguins success. 

With 6:02 left in the opening frame, YSU held a commanding 22-11 lead until Betsy Adams knocked down a couple of threes for Valpo.  Rachael Manuel responded with her eighth point of the opening half and the Penguins were up 24-17 with 3:26 left until intermission.

At the half, YSU held a 26-22 lead.  Adams was hot for Valparaiso knocking down a pair of three-pointers and a two in the last 3:00 of the half.  She led all scorers with 11 points at the half.  YSU was paced by Manuel with eight.  Both teams combined for 20 turnovers and looked sloppy.  The Lady Penguins just looked less sloppy with seven first half turnovers.

Valparaiso opened the second half with a 12-0 run and jumped out to a 34-26 lead with 16:31 left in the game.  Betsy Adams was tearing the Penguins up with three-point bombs on 5-8 shooting from long distance and had 25 points in the game.

With 7:54 left in the game, Valpo had a 49-35 lead and seemed to have gained the upper hand in the rebounding wars on both sides of the court.  The lead was later increased to 60-37 with 3:47 left in the game and eventually when the final horn sounded, YSU was denied a victory falling 66-41.  The Crusaders outscored the Penguins, 44-15, in the second half.

After the game, a disappointed Coach Martin talked addressed the collapse.  “We told the ladies at halftime to play like they were down 20 and we just went a long time that we didn’t score.  It is the most disappointed I have been all season.  We had another person [Boki Dimitrov] get hurt in our last game.  I am not disappointed in our hustle, we always dive after loose balls.  We are a little banged up right now but I thought that the girls had 40 minutes in them.”

The Penguins (0-16, 0-5) got 15 points from Kenya Middlebrooks, who also shared rebounding honors with Brandi Brown with eight apiece.  Butler will make a stop in Youngstown to face the Lady Penguins Saturday, tipoff is set for 2:00.

DeAndre Mays (above, courtesy of Ron Stevens)  was named the Player Of The Week in the Horizon League on Monday.  Mays had an outstanding week in helping YSU go 2-0 with wins over UIC and Loyola.

For the two games, Mays averagaed 22.5 ppg (50% from field), 66.7% from three-point range, and 84.6% from the free throw line.  He also set a career-best with 30 points against Loyola on Saturday.  Mays currently leads the Penguins in scoring with 13.2 points per contest and in assists where he averages 2.6 dimes.

For the Dallas, Texas native, it was the first time he was given the Player Of The Week honors.  The ambitious Senior will lead the Penguins into rugged territory later this week at Valparaiso on Thursday and then nationally-ranked Butler Saturday.

Congratulations DeAndre!

DeAndre Mays was determined to help his team win.  He accomplished that goal and set a career-high in scoring with 30 points as Youngstown State got by Loyola, 71-67, in a very physical and hard fought contest.  Mays became the first YSU Penguin since Kesten Roberts (2006-2007 season) to score 30 in a game.

Up until the last possession , Sirlester Martin, Kelvin Bright, and Mays scored every YSU point in the second half.  Dallas Blocker ended the game with the last three points, his only scoring in the game, which turned out to be the winning margin, proving the old adage that it is not quantity but rather quality that matters.

Youngstown State jumped in front 17-13 on some good 3-point shooting. Vytas Sulskis, Vance Cooksey, and DeAndre Mays all dialed it up from downtown in the early going. Ben Averkamp was hitting mostly everything he was throwing up as his three tied the game at 22 with 6:24 left in the first half.

The Penguins and Ramblers had a few lead changes with the last coming right at the first half buzzard. Sirlester Martin gathered in an offensive rebound and released the ball right as the backboard lit up to signify that the time in the half had elapsed. After several minutes of the officiating crew reviewing the replay, the basket was allowed and the Penguins ended up with a 32-31 lead as a result.

Martin’s tenth point of the night gave the Penguins a 43-41 lead with 13:29 left in the contest. The second half was played very closely as neither team had a lead larger than four points since YSU led 17-11 at the 12:00 minute mark of the first half.

Over the next nine minutes, the Penguins would claim a 57-53 lead riding the shoulders of Bright and Mays.  Over that span, the Penguin guards combined to score all but two of YSU’s points (15 in all).  Martin chimed in with a 15-foot baseline jumper to push the lead to 59-53 with 5:44 left in the game.

Terrance Hill, who had no points in the first half, hit an uncontested layup off of a steal, for his 17th point. Walt Gibler stole an inbounds pass off of a full-court press and layed it in to cut the Penguins lead to just one with 1:50 left in the game. Hill then hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 65.  The Penguins seemed troubled by the press again, but were able to overcome when they needed to.

“We could have wilted when they tied the game at 65 and felt sorry for ourselves.  I think DeAndre [Mays] did a great job on the three-point play.  I was proud of our guys and we didn’t back up”, is what Coach Slocum said about the resiliant finish. 

Mays drove the lane and challenged a few Ramblers in the paint. The bucket counted and the foul shot put the Penguins ahead 68-65. Loyola quickly retaliated as Gibler drove the left side of the lane and drew a foul, hitting a pair of free throws to cut the lead to one at 68-67 with 20 seconds left.

(photo courtesy of Ron Stevens)

Dallas Blocker came up with a big offensive rebound and was fouled in the act of scoring a huge basket, his first of the night, staking Youngstown State to a 70-67 lead. Blocker knocked down the free throw to make it a two possession game. Loyola could not score as time ran out and YSU had a 71-67 victory.

After the game, Coach Jerry Slocum praised the efforts of his team.  “Our kids really battled these last two games.  People were walking around a week ago saying ‘who are you’.  I think you saw tonight who we are.  That [Loyola] is as physical of a team as there is in this league and we overcame alot of things in that game.  We made foul shots we needed them.”

YSU (7-8, 2-4) has two big road games next week at Valparaiso and Butler.  Loyola fell to 11-5 and 2-4 in Horizon League play.

Brandi Brown is a name Youngstown State Basketball fans better get used to hearing.  The Lady Penguin is a Freshman, already has four double-doubles on the season, and has established herself as a force underneath.  Expect Brown to receive Horizon League honors at the end of the season.  The remarkable efforts of Brown deserve praise and the league would be foolish to snub her based on her experience or the lack of team wins.  Brown has a birthday coming up January 10th, and if you asked her, helping the team win a game would be the greatest present in the world.

Paneech:  What is it like having a birthday so close to the holiday season?

Brown:  It’s really close to the holidays, I like that because I can get more gifts.  I wish I was closer to my family, but I know they are going to be happy for me.

Paneech:  Tell me the story of how you were recruited to Youngstown State.

Brown:  I was not sure what I was going to do after high school.  They [Coach Bernard Scott] were in California recruiting Maryum [Jenkins].  My team was playing against her team and I played really well and the recruiting process took off from there.  It is nice to know someone from California, common interests and all that stuff.

Paneech:  Explain the pressure of only dressing seven players knowing that you are going to have to put in solid minutes night in and night out.

Brown:  It is really mentally stressing but we have to stay positive.  Positive practices, positive time at the game, positive no matter what. 

Paneech:  You are developing into a great post player.  What has made you better?

Brown:  The coaching staff and support from all of my teammates.  I am really happy that I have so much support and people that want to help me.

Paneech:  Do you ever have nightmares of getting into foul trouble and the consequences it could create if you are unable to come back into a game?

Brown:  (Laughs)  I just try not to think about it.  I just try to play my game.  You can get a foul here or there and that is ok, but you have got to play smart.

Paneech:  Talk about Coach Martin.

Brown:  Coach Martin has taught me alot about myself and how to be strong through whatever is thrown at me on the court or off, like in the classroom.  Coach B [Meredith Baugher] is my post coach and she has really pushed me to go harder.  She played the game and it is nice to have her showing me things that I might not have seen.

Paneech:  Talk about the future of this program.

Brown:  I see alot of success.  It may not seem bright right now, but I think we as a team and the fans and community can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Paneech:  Being from California, have you adapted to all of this lovely snow yet?

Brown:  No, I am not used to it.  I don’t like it.  I live here now, so I have to wear the big jackets and gloves and mittens and all of that good stuff. 

Paneech:  Walk me through a typical day – start to finish – during the season when school is in session.

Brown:  I wake up early and go get something to eat.  I like bagels and cream cheese.  I go to class.  After class I might have some down time, but if I don’t I come straight to the locker room and maybe watch TV for a little bit.  I go to practice, maybe do some study table hours here and there.  I go back to the dorm and do some more studying.  College is so different from high school.  You have to be disciplined and you really can’t just cram at night for a test. 

One Word Answers

Favorite Soft Drink:  Sprite.

Favorite TV Show:  The Game.

Favorite Fast Food:  Chipotle.

Biggest Phobia:  Crickets.  When you try to kill them they just keep making that noise and you can’t find them.

Worst Habit:  I used to bite my nails, now I don’t return phone calls.

Favorite WNBA or NBA Player:  I don’t have a favorite player or team.

Best Movie:  Poetic Justice.

Favorite Toy As A Child:  Barney.

Toppings On A Pizza:  Just cheese.

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?  Hopefully a college graduate and back home with my family for a little bit.

The Green Bay Phoenix rolled into Youngstown ranked #20 in the country. They had a perfect season underway. The Youngstown State Penguins were having a hard time keeping players healthy and remaining competitive. To their credit, the Lady Penguins have not waived the proverbial white flag yet and keep trying althouth their efforts have not resulted in a victory yet.

Green Bay had enough firepower at the end of the first half and beginning of the second to get by pesky YSU, 76-60.  Youngstown State had their finest night of the season shooting 50% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.  As Coach Cindy Martin stated after the game, “There is a reason why they are 13-0 and ranked 20th in the country.”

Youngstown State did a good job for the first nine minutes of the game to make shots and maximize opportunities on offense. Green Bay was having a field day in the low post capitalizing on matchups that worked in their favor. With 11:20 left in the opening half, Green Bay held a 14-12 lead.

YSU took a 19-18 lead on a Brandi Brown layup with 8:52 left in the first half. Green Bay scored to reclaim a one-point lead, but Boki Dimitrov nailed a three to put YSU back on top, 22-20. Four three-pointers accounted for more than half of the Penguins offense.

The Penguins were up 28-22, but the Phoenix trap proved to be too much for YSU as Green Bay ended the half on a 16-0 run to take a 38-28 lead into the intermission. Kayla Tetschlag poured in 14 first half points and gathered four rebounds for Green Bay. Youngstown State got ten from Boki Dimitrov.

Green Bay built the lead to 23 with 10:53 left in the game and coasted home for the victory.  Balance and ball movement were the keys for the Phoenix in the second half.  Tetschlag, Heather Golden, and Celeste Hoewisch had at least 13 points each to to spark the balanced Green Bay scoring attack.

With the victory, Green Bay improved to 13-0 and did little to tarnish their national ranking with their play in the second half.

After the game, Coach Martin praised her team for their effort.  “I’m tickled to death and told the girls before the game that this is my dream, coaching Division I basketball.  We are building and growing but we want results now and we have to keep the long-term goals in focus.  I know the results are not very good on paper yet, but I am extremely encouraged with the progress.” 

Rachael Manuel had one of her best-ever games as a Lady Penguin with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Brandi Brown stayed hot as she had 16 points and nine rebounds, just missing her fifth double-double of the year.

Youngstown State fell to 0-13, but not due to a lack of effort. It’s like the old saying, the more gum you throw at the wall, sooner or later something is bound to stick.  Keep throwing Coach Martin, keep throwing.

The Youngstown State University Lady Penguins have been short on numbers all year long.  In the Horizon League  opening game Saturday, only seven players dressed.  For a half, seven players was good enough.  In a mediocre second half, depth might have been a welcome option.  Milwaukee used good depth and a strong low post game to get by a scrappy Youngstown State group, 68-59.

Early on, YSU did a decent job shooting and trailed only 18-17 against a much taller Milwaukee team.  Boki Dimitrov hit a couple of baskets to keep YSU close.  The Lady Penguins were doing a good job cutting off low-post passes and maximizing the size they did have as Brandi Brown and Rachael Manuel were rebounding and stealing.

With 7:41 left in the first half, Youngstwon State held a 19-18 lead.  The Lady Penguins were really hustling and diving after loose balls all over the court.  Maryum Jenkins and Kenya Middlebrooks were both slow getting up after hustling for loose balls, a scary prospect considering the shallowness of the Lady Penguin bench.  As YSU held a lead deep into the first half, it was hard not to notice the coaches and players had smiles on their faces and were having genuine fun.

At the half, the Panthers and Penguins were deadlocked at 25.  Brown and Ashley Imperiale had 10 points each for their respective teams at the break.

Milwaukee used a 12-3 run to open the second half and established a 37-28 lead.  The Panthers were taking advantage of several second-chance opportunities and taking shots much closer to the hoop than they had in the first half.

The fatigue factor and roster size started to take their toll in the second half.  Milwaukee had a current of fresh bodies on the court while YSU was winded and gasping by the 10:00 mark. 

YSU really struggled from 3-point territory shooting less than 12% for the game.  The Penguins dropped to 0-12 on the season, while Milwaukee improved to 6-6 by winning the Horizon Conference opener for both teams.

After the game, Penguins Coach Cindy Martin expressed her thoughts of the comendable effort of the Lady Penguins.  “I wish I could go back and change two things.  One was the intensity that we lacked to start the second half.  The other thing was to attack and go right at them instead of trying to avoid making a mistake and playing tentatvely.”

Milwaukee was led by Imperiale who finished the game with 16 points.  Danielle Jorgensen added 14.

YSU got 18 points and 14 rebounds from Brandi Brown.  Brown made no excuses for the loss.  “We just came out flat in the second half and it took us a few minutes to regain the intensity that we played with in the first half.”