By Teziah Howard / The Jambar
Rivalry week brought Purdue University Fort Wayne to Beeghly Center in a match up against the Youngstown State University women’s basketball team. The Penguins were unable to keep pace with their Horizon League foe, as they fell 79-56.
With the loss, Youngstown State drops to 9-13 on the season with a 4-8 record in conference play. The Penguins sit in eighth place in the Horizon League, while the Mastodons hold first place.
Despite the loss, freshman Sophia Gregory posted 12 points with eight rebounds, just shy of a double-double. Fellow freshman Erica King notched 11 points off the bench.
Senior Jewel Watkins led the team with 16 points and has scored double figures in six straight games. She has also recorded 16 games with double figures this season.
Head Coach Melissa Jackson gave praise to the Mastodon squad. She said the team executed the “next athlete up mentality” during the contest.
“Purdue Fort Wayne is really good. They are number one in our league for a reason and I think they showed that,” Jackson said. “They had a starter down and had unbelievable kids that stepped up with experience.”
For the Penguins, turnovers were a key impact on the game’s decision. Youngstown State had over half the turnovers Purdue Fort Wayne had. The Mastodons also secured nine steals from the Penguins.
Purdue Fort Wayne was quick to get in gear with four athletes posting double-figure. Fifth-year senior Sydney Freeman led the Mastodons in scoring with 22 points. Graduate students Lauren Ross and Jordan Reid each posted 16 points. Sophomore Reina Schwieterman finished the game with 12 points.
The Penguins were not far off from the Mastodons in statistical categories. The Mastodons had a 36.8% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, while the Penguins had a 30.4%.
The Mastodons out-rebounded the Penguins, racking up 38 to YSU’s 36. In the final quarter, both teams recorded their highest points scored. Youngstown State shot 47% from the floor, but Purdue Fort Wayne was near-perfect beyond the arc, making five of six.
YSU will travel to Wisconsin to match up against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The Penguins will play at 7 p.m. tonight inside the Kress Events Center.
The game will be available to stream on ESPN+ and 1390 WNIO.