By Marissa Masano / The Jambar
For the second straight season, the Youngstown State University women’s basketball team tested itself against a nationally ranked Big Ten Conference opponent. The Penguins traveled to Michigan State University on Nov. 12 before returning home to face Bucknell University on Nov. 16.
Against No. 24 Michigan State, YSU fell 96-52 for its first loss of the season. Scoring was balanced across the lineup, with four Penguins posting at least eight points.
Redshirt freshman Sarah Baker and redshirt senior Faith Burch led the way with 10 points each. Sophomore Hayden Barrier and sixth-year senior Casey Santoro added eight apiece. Redshirt sophomore Dacia Lewandowski contributed a career-best seven points.
Michigan State controlled nearly every statistical category, outrebounded the Penguins, 36-24, and turned that advantage into 23 second-chance points compared to YSU’s four. The Spartans also dominated the paint, scoring 46 points to the Penguins’ 28.
After the game, Head Coach Melissa Jackson reflected on her team’s struggles and emphasized one area in particular.
“One thing I’m really not happy about is our rebounding. I know that [Michigan State is] bigger, [but] the second chance points were significant in that game. I feel that’s a big strength of our group going forward. So, I really want to see a much improved rebounding effort going forward,” Jackson said.
YSU returned home to Beeghly Center to face Bucknell for the first time in eight years, and broke Bucknell’s three-game winning streak against the Penguins with a 60-53 victory.
Sophomore Erica King paced Youngstown State with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Barrier recorded a career-high 11 points, including three 3-pointers.
The Penguins came out energized and opened the game on a 9-2 run highlighted by a steal and 3-pointer from redshirt freshman Danielle Cameron. YSU forced five early turnovers, with King accounting for three through her defensive pressure.
A Bucknell timeout halted the momentum for Youngstown State, as the Bison responded with seven straight points to tie the game at 9-9.
In the second quarter, scoring was scarce for the Penguins, who made just one of their first seven attempts. Barrier broke the cold stretch with her first 3-pointer of the day, putting YSU ahead 15-11.
YSU found its rhythm in the third quarter as King and Baker combined for the team’s first nine points. Barrier’s second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 13, and Santoro added her first triple to help the Penguins take a 44-31 advantage into the final 10 minutes.
Junior Paulina Hernandez opened the fourth quarter by knocking down a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 16.
Bucknell responded by controlling the paint, and scored seven straight points to force a YSU timeout. The Bison extended their run to 11-0 with just under six minutes remaining.
Cameron quieted the Bucknell surge with her second 3-pointer, and her third triple later in the quarter helped seal the victory for the Penguins.
YSU continues its nonconference slate with a trip to Mercyhurst University on Nov. 20. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will stream on NEC Front Row.
