By Dylan Lux
In its previous matchup against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Jan. 13, the Youngstown State University women’s basketball team lost in a 66-58 effort on the road. On Feb. 3, the Penguins bounced back and knocked off the Panthers in Beeghly Center.
Fifth-year guard Dena Jarrells highlighted the matchup, scoring her 1,000th career point for YSU.
Jarrells said the talented teammates she’s had through the years helped her achieve the scoring total and that hitting the mark was fulfilling.
“It’s pretty exciting. I feel like this is one time where I can really say that I’m proud of myself,” Jarrells said. “I couldn’t do it without my teammates … Having good players around you gives you opportunities to shoot the ball as well. So, I couldn’t do it without any of those girls.”
After being deadlocked at 15 points apiece through quarter one, the Penguins shot 57% from the field in the second while also making two 3-pointers on two attempts. Despite the shooting percentages, the Penguins went into the locker room down, 37-35, at halftime.
The Penguins didn’t cool off after the break, as they shot 50% from the field, including 50% from 3-point range.
The Penguin offense wasn’t the only thing firing on all cylinders, as the defense held Milwaukee to 31% shooting from the field in the third quarter. YSU also held the Panthers to 29% shooting from beyond the arc.
Senior guard Malia Magestro took over in the third quarter, scoring 10 of the team’s 22 points in the period.
The strong third quarter helped get the Penguins to a 57-54 lead heading to the final quarter of play.
With 3:20 to go in the fourth, Milwaukee tied the score at 66 with a layup, but after forcing misses for the rest of the contest, Youngstown State prevailed in a 73-66 win.
Magestro finished as the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, while also tallying two steals. She averages 19 points per game over her last three contests.
Magestro was one of four Penguins to finish in double-digit points. Junior guard Hailey Thierry had 13 points, and fifth-year seniors Emily Saunders and Shay-Lee Kirby each scored 10.
Saunders added her 10 points in only the second half and corralled 10 rebounds in the game to post her third double-double of the year.
Magestro commented after the game, crediting the defensive adjustments the Penguins made to help them secure the victory.
“We kept their leading scorers from the last time we played them to low points,” Magestro said. “We didn’t let No. 23 score … and she [bested] us last game. We really knew our scout this time around, and I think that really showed.”
The Penguins return to the court at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8 in Rochester, Michigan for a matchup against the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies.
To watch the game live, go to ESPN+ or listen to the matchup at 1390 WNIO.