By Teziah Howard / The Jambar
As the fall semester concluded in early December, the Youngstown State University women’s basketball team was just getting started.
The team began Horizon League play Dec. 4, 2024 against Northern Kentucky University, and ended with a win. A quick and humbling turnaround found the Penguins in Columbus to face The Ohio State University.
Fortunately for the Penguins, they weren’t completely unfamiliar with the Buckeyes. However, the same could be said about familiar faces on the YSU side.
Senior Haley Thierry went head-to-head with her twin sister and fellow senior Taylor Thierry. The Thierry sisters played a combined 40 minutes on the court, in an 87-39 statement win for Ohio State.
Haley Thierry expressed her emotions leading up to the matchup and how they impacted her and Taylor’s family.
“I texted the family group chat and told them we’d be playing Ohio State and everyone was so excited. I told our high school friends and teachers,” Thierry said. “Some of them came up for the game so it was a great and fun environment to be in.”
The Penguins returned to Beeghly Center to face the University of Detroit Mercy on Dec. 18, 2024. In a hard-fought divisional matchup, the Penguins were defeated 65-58. The Titans gave the Penguins their first home and conference loss of the season.
The ’Guins had a quick, three-day turnaround to play Point Park University back inside Beeghly Center. YSU won in convincing fashion over the Biso, 85-42.
Young talent was on the rise in the matchup, as freshman Sophia Gregory recorded one of the best games in her early career. Gregory posted the fourth most points by a freshman in Youngstown State’s Division I era, as she dropped 28 points against Point Park.
After the game, Head Coach Melissa Jackson said what traits she stresses to her team as the season progresses.
“We talk a lot about being disciplined, both offensively and defensively. A big point of emphasis for us offensively was sharing the ball, so I love seeing 25 assists from our group,” Jackson said. “I thought we had some great offensive possessions and played with pace.”
With the win over Point Park, the Penguins concluded nonconference play and will finish the season with a stretch of Horizon League opponents. The Penguins traveled to Indianapolis for a matchup against Indiana University Indianapolis.
Youngstown State was defeated 65-50 on the road. The Penguins looked to bounce back on a short week as they faced the University of Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons handed the Penguins their second-straight loss.
YSU will host the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay today at 6:30 p.m. inside Beeghly Center.
