By Marissa Masano / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University men’s basketball team traveled to Wisconsin for two Horizon League matchups. The team returned home to Beeghly Center to play two games, including its final nonconference matchup.
The Penguins traveled to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee on Jan. 17, as they fell 79-64. Juniors Jason Nelson and Cris Caroll led the team, each scoring 14 points.
In the loss, the Penguins shot 39% from the field and had six more turnovers than the Panthers. Milwaukee also led in rebounds with 43, compared to Youngstown State’s 28.
YSU stayed in Wisconsin to face the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Jan. 19. The Penguins defeated the Phoenix 73-69, as Caroll scored a career-high 24 points. Fifth-year senior Nico Galette recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The team rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half, sparked by a steal from Galette and a dunk by fifth-year senior Ty Harper. Galette kept pace as he converted on a three-point play to tie the game with three minutes remaining.
Nelson made a layup to give YSU its first lead since the first half. The Penguins’ defense came up with two steals in the closing minutes. Redshirt sophomore David Wilkerson’s steal led to a game-sealing dunk by Harper.
The Penguins returned to Beeghly Center on Jan. 22 as the Penguins fell 72-70 to Robert Morris University.
Junior Juwan Maxey recorded a career-high 22 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Harper contributed double-figures, scoring 15 points and grabbing a team-high five rebounds.
In the first half, YSU held the half’s largest lead at six points, but trailed 36-40 at halftime. Robert Morris opened the second half with an 8-2 run, securing the game’s first double-digit lead.
With 9:52 left, Maxey scored the next 12 points to get the team within four. Shortly after, Maxey made a three-pointer making it 69-68 in favor of RMU.
Head Coach Ethan Faulker praised Maxey’s second-half performance.
“[Maxey] got it going late. [He] made a few shots, made plays off the bounce for us [and] got to the foul line. He really got us back in the game. He did what he needed to do offensively,” Faulkner said.
A foul by Nelson put the Colonials at the free-throw line, where they took the lead 70-68. After a YSU timeout, Harper rebounded his own layup and tipped it in with six seconds left to tie the score at 70.
RMU responded with a fast break in the final seconds, sealing the game with a layup.
With the conclusion of the game against Robert Morris, Faulkner received a one-game suspension because of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach issued a statement regarding Faulkner’s actions.
“At the conclusion of Wednesday’s game, YSU men’s basketball Head Coach Ethan Faulkner’s unsportsmanlike actions toward an official violated our conduct principles and are unacceptable,” Lach stated.
The Penguins stayed at home for their final non-conference game against Penn State Shenango on Jan. 24.
The Penguins defeated the Lions 112-63, as senior EJ Farmer recorded his first career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Harper added 17 points, including a career-tying five three-pointers.
All players scored at least two points as the team made 15 three-pointers, tying for fifth-most in a single game. Additionally, the team set a new school record in rebounds with 72.
With Faulkner’s absence from the game, Associate Head Coach Dwaine Osborne reflected on the team’s focus.
“We just want to try to take the best shots we can. Hopefully we’re training ourselves to create the habits that we need to be successful,” Osborne said.
The Penguins will remain home for their next two Horizon League games, facing Wright State University today and Indiana University Indianapolis on Feb. 1.