By Teziah Howard / The Jambar
The first round of the 2025 Barbasol Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championship sent the Youngstown State University Penguins to Wright State University to face the Raiders.
The Penguins’ season concluded March 4 after a 78-53 loss inside the Nutter Center. With the loss, YSU finished the season with a 12-19 overall record, and a 7-13 in the Horizon League.
Despite the loss, seniors Jewel Watkins and Haley Thierry tied for team-high in points with 14. Watkins was named to the All-Horizon League Second team. Fifth-year Malia Magestro also added four points, and put up 1,280 as a Penguin.
As the seniors wrapped up their careers, the Penguins will add newcomers and build off their young talent. Freshman Sophia Gregory was named the Horizon League’s Freshman of the Year. Gregory finished the contest with 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Thierry said Gregory has had a positive impact on the women’s basketball program this season.
“Sophia is an unbelievable player and person on and off the court. We would not have been able to do the things we did without her,” Thierry said. “She plays well composed and when she is on the court, she is going to give it her all.”
The Raider defense surged throughout the game, as Wright State nearly doubled the amount of turnovers the Penguins had. The Raiders recorded 44 rebounds compared to the Penguin’s 26.
Wright State fifth-year senior Amaya Staton finished with 17 points and broke the school and tournament record for most rebounds in a single game.
Despite the double-digit loss, the Penguins were able to force more turnovers and steals against the Raiders. Wright State gave up 17 turnovers while YSU gave up 13. The Penguins also forced nine steals, whereas the Raiders totaled seven.
Head Coach Melissa Jackson completed her first season at the helm of the YSU women’s basketball team. Jackson reflected on the five-month journey and how the 2024-25 season was a rollercoaster for her.
“We have been through alot, and have been through adversity. We’ve been through some ups and downs but this continues to play hard and play for each other,” Jackson said.