By Marissa Masano / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University men’s basketball team faced the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee on Feb. 21 for a nationally televised game, and honored its seniors against the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay on Feb. 23.
Against the Panthers, the Penguins fell short 84-74. Junior Juwan Maxey recorded a career-high 29 points, which included four three pointers, while senior Nico Galette contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
Sophomore Gabe Dynes made history by recording five blocks, becoming only the third player in YSU history to reach at least 150 career blocks. The 7-foot-3 center now ranks third in program history with 153 blocks.
Junior John Lovelace Jr. returned to Beeghly Center for the first time since transferring to Horizon League rival, Milwaukee. During his time as a Penguin, Lovelace played in all 32 games of the 2023-24 season.
The first half was tightly contested with four ties and two lead changes. Galette capped the half with a buzzer-beating three pointer, sending the game into halftime knotted at 43 points.
Milwaukee opened the second half with a 24-6 run, building its largest lead of the game at 17 points. The Penguins responded with an 11-0 run, ignited by Dynes and Maxey to trim the deficit.
Youngstown State pulled within five with 1:42 remaining, but that was as close as it would get. Milwaukee sealed the win by converting on seven-of-eight free throws down the stretch.
After the game, Head Coach Ethan Faulkner said the team’s offense could have executed a cleaner game.
“Our whole identity offensively is to be able to create advantages — whether that’s in transition on the ball screen or with our actions away from the ball. I just thought we really struggled to do that tonight,” Faulkner said.
Youngstown State bounced back from the loss with a 81-77 victory against the Phoenix. Galette matched his season high with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Dynes recorded his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
The Penguins held a one-point lead at halftime, while the second half featured seven lead changes and four ties in the first 13 minutes.
A nine-point run — capped by a three-point play from Dynes — gave YSU a 67-64 advantage. The game was tied at 69 until Galette’s three pointer put the Penguins ahead for good.
Green Bay cut the deficit to one point twice in the final three minutes. YSU converted nine free throws down the stretch to secure its 13th Horizon League victory of the season.
After the game, Galette said the team showed signs of growth on the offensive side of the ball.
“We were struggling early offensively. We are coming into our rhythm now, and if we keep doing what we can do defensively, we will be a hard team to beat,” Galette said.
Up next, the Penguins travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky, for their final regular-season game against Northern Kentucky University on March 1. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
