By Cameron Mitchell / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University women’s basketball team won back-to-back games against the University of Detroit Mercy on Feb. 20 and Oakland University on Feb. 22.
The Penguins kicked off the battle against the Titans with senior Haley Thierry, who reached a career-high 18 points. Freshman Sophia Gregory claimed her fourth double-double and ended the night with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
With only her second start of the season, Thierry scored seven points to rally the team to a nine-point scoring run in the first quarter.
The Titans cut the Penguins’ lead down to four points in the final minute, but Thierry scored a buzzer-beater and gave the team a 35-29 lead.
After the half, the Titans got within two when Detroit Mercy graduate student Emaia O’Brien scored her 1,000 career point with under seven minutes in the third.
Starting the fourth quarter, the Titans held YSU to four points before the Penguins scored on their next three possessions and regained the lead, 62-50.
The Titans got no closer than six after a three pointer in the closing seconds of the game, which led to Youngstown State’s 67-59 victory in Calihan Hall.
After Youngstown State’s victory in Detroit, the team picked up a 52-51 win against Oakland.
Senior Jewel Watkins scored YSU’s final 11 points of the game including a three pointer with 2:40 left on the clock to put the Penguins up 52-48.
Gregory added two more blocks to her total of 30 this year, which ties former Penguin Jen Perugini’s record for blocks set during the 2001-02 season.
Throughout the game, Watkins added four steals while going six-for-seven from the free-throw line. Gregory had another great performance with 16 points and 11 rebounds for her third straight double-double, while going 7-11 from the field.
Thierry added to the action posting 11 rebounds, four points and four assists in her second start. She helped Youngstown hold a 39-31 lead.
With the win, YSU now stands at 11-17 overall and 6-12 in conference play.
Youngstown State faced Robert Morris University at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 for another shift in Horizon League standings. For more information on the game visit ysusports.com.
The team will round out its regular season with a matchup against Cleveland State University at 2 p.m. March 1 inside Beeghly Center.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and 1390 WNIO.