By Cameron Mitchell / The Jambar
With a few games left in the 2024-25 Youngstown State University basketball season, the Penguins recorded an 84-75 win over Oakland University on Feb. 6 at OU Credit Union O’Rena.
Against the Golden Grizzlies, senior EJ Farmer led the game with 25 points, which marked his fourth consecutive game with 20 points or more. Farmer went 8 of 17 from the field and scored 16 of his 25 points in the second half.
Joining Farmer in the scoring column was junior Juwan Maxey, who piled on another 19 points with four three pointers. Adding to the night, fifth-year senior Nico Galette claimed a double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Junior Cris Carroll also had a double-figure night with 10 points and seven rebounds, which helped the Penguins rise on top of Oakland.
The ’Guins led the game for over 37 minutes and headed into halftime, 38-32. After the half, Oakland cut the Penguins’ lead down to four within the first few seconds of the second half.
Galette went coast-to-coast and slammed it down for a dunk. Youngstown State’s 46-36 lead was assisted by two free throws from Farmer and another bucket from Galette.
The Golden Grizzlies tested the Penguins, bringing their lead down to seven points before Farmer drilled another three pointer at the 3:19 mark.
After Youngstown State’s win over Oakland, the Penguins traveled to the University of Detroit Mercy on Feb. 8. With over 1,000 in attendance, the ‘Guins posted another win over the Titans 87-72.
With the victory, Youngstown State improves to 16-10 overall and 10-5 in Horizon League play.
Maxey led Youngstown State with 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and a career-best, six three pointers.
In the first half, the Penguins went 9 of 15 from the three-point line and 14 of 24 from the paint. As a team, Youngstown State ended the game 27 of 58 from the field and 16 of 34 from deep.
The Penguins’ 16 three pointers tied the Horizon League record for the third-most three pointers in a game.
As a whole, the Titans shot 56.3% from inside the paint and cut the Penguins lead to 10, three separate times.
Fifth-year senior Ty Harper opened the second half with multiple three pointers, giving YSU a 20-point lead.
With over three minutes remaining, Maxey hit his sixth three pointer of the game, which made the score 80-64.
In the final minute of the game, Carroll recorded a three pointer to secure back-to-back victories for the Penguins.
Youngstown State returned home for one game against Purdue University–Fort Wayne at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12. For more information on the matchup visit ysusports.com.
YSU hits the road for a game against Cleveland State University at 2 p.m. Feb. 16. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU and 570 WKBN.