By Dylan Lux / The Jambar
After a 73-62 loss to Western Michigan University on Nov. 27, 2024, the Youngstown State University men’s basketball team has won eight of its last nine contests.
The team hosted Bethany College inside the Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. YSU prevailed 128-60, which started an eight-game win streak for the ’Guins.
Next up for the Penguins were two Horizon League foes — Robert Morris University on Dec. 4, 2024 and Oakland University on Dec. 7, 2024.
In the matchup against the Colonials, junior Juwan Maxey led the game with 16 points. He also tallied four rebounds and recorded zero turnovers en route to a 72-58 victory for the Penguins in their first conference matchup.
Against Oakland, YSU held the Golden Grizzlies to 50 points on 35% shooting from the field. The ’Guins emerged victorious in a 66-50 battle to move to 2-0 in league play.
A week later, Dec. 14 2024, Youngstown State faced Mid-American Conference opponent the University of Toledo in Beeghly Center. This was the Penguins’ second MAC foe of the season, after facing off against Western Michigan.
The ’Guins got their revenge on the MAC, winning 93-87 over the Rockets.
Sophomore Gabe Dynes had nine blocks in the contest and credited his teammates for forcing the Rockets to drive, allowing him to use his 7-foot 3-inch frame to alter shots.
“That’s a big part of my game is being my size,” Dynes said. “I can’t really do anything without my teammates’ help — it’s really just them funneling their guys to me so I can block a shot.”
The team traveled to Dayton for a matchup with Wright State University, where they emerged victorious 80-70 for their fifth-straight win.
For YSU’s second-to-last non-conference game of the year, it faced the University of South Carolina Upstate on Dec. 21, 2024 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Youngstown State prevailed, with its sixth-straight victory, 72-64.
To end 2024 on Dec. 29, the ’Guins hosted the University of Detroit Mercy, where three Penguins scored in double figures, helping YSU secure a 73-64 victory.
Back-to-back road games in Indiana were next for the ’Guins, as they traveled to play Indiana University Indianapolis and the University of Purdue-Fort Wayne in a four-day span.
Head Coach Ethan Faulkner said he’s seen great strides from his team recently, but there’s always room to improve.
“We’ve certainly made a lot of improvement over the last four to five weeks,” Faulkner said. “There’s certainly growth for our team, but I’m pleased with where we’re at.”
The ‘Guins continued their winning streak with a 77-61 win over IU Indy on Jan. 1.
Purdue Fort Wayne proved to be a formidable opponent for YSU, snapping its winning streak. The Mastodon’s scored 90 points, the most the Penguins have allowed in regulation this season.
PFW came away with a 90-81 victory over the ’Guins, dropping Youngstown State to 5-1 in conference play.
Youngstown State will play its next two games inside Beeghly Center against Horizon League foes. The Penguins faced Northern Kentucky University on Jan. 8 and will square off against Cleveland State University on Jan. 11.
Both games will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ and 570 WKBN.
