By Zach Flesch / The Jambar
Mixed results highlighted a recent two-game homestand for the Youngstown State University men’s basketball team at Zidian Family Arena inside Beeghly Center on Jan. 7 and Jan. 9.
With a narrow Horizon League loss against Purdue University Fort Wayne and a win over Bryant & Stratton College, the Penguins hold a 2-5 record in conference play and a 9-9 record overall.
Inside Beeghly Center on Jan. 7, Purdue Fort Wayne edged out the Penguins by 71-69 in a back-and-forth HL contest that featured 10 ties.
After a dunk from senior Imanuel Zorgvol tied the game at 69-69 with one minute left, junior Corey Hadnot II sealed the Mastodons’ win by scoring two free throws with less than 30 seconds in the second half.
Senior Cris Carroll led Youngstown State with 14 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Jaiden Haynes posted 12 points and three rebounds. Senior Cam Polak scored 11 points and Zorgvol finished with 10 points. Carroll set up for a 3-pointer during YSU’s final possession, but came up short.
Following the loss, YSU bounced back on Jan. 9 and defeated Bryant & Stratton College by 99-61 during the School Day Kids Game.
Youngstown State had four players in double figures and hit 14 3-pointers. Senior Bryson Dawkins led the way with 21 points, while Carroll followed with 18. Juniors Rich Rolf and Tae Blackshear both contributed 15 points apiece.
The Penguins outperformed the Bobcats in most areas, including the completion of 33 field goals versus 27 by the Bobcats and 19 free throws versus two by Bryant & Stratton.
In a post-game interview, Head Coach Ethan Faulkner said the team focused on ways to address in-game errors.
“Effort and concentration for 40 minutes. That was our whole goal tonight, or this morning, is to be engaged for 40 minutes with our physical effort and our mental attention to detail to try and clean up some of the mistakes that we’re making,” Faulkner said.
Youngstown State returns to HL action on Jan. 15 when the team travels to Wright State University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Nutter Center in Dayton.