YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State men’s basketball team faced a tough defeat on Sunday at the Beeghly Center, experiencing their first Horizon League loss of the season to Oakland with a score of 88-81.
The game started with a strong performance from the Penguins, who hit nine three-pointers in the first half to take a four-point lead going into halftime. However, in the second half, Oakland turned the tables and scored 53 points, ultimately securing the victory.
Head coach Jerrod Calhoun expressed his concerns about the team’s performance, particularly their shooting percentage and defensive play in the second half. He also attributed the team’s struggles to a 10-day break between games, a change of opinion from previous comments on the benefits of a longer rest period.
Despite a strong start in the first half, the Penguins faltered in the second half, shooting only 25% from three-point range. This allowed Oakland to take the lead, which they held on to for the rest of the game. YSU’s defensive efforts also fell short, as they struggled to contain Oakland’s leading scorers.
In the end, YSU simply couldn’t keep up with Oakland’s strong performance, leading to their defeat. The Penguins now look ahead to their next game against Northern Kentucky, hoping to bounce back from this loss and improve their performance moving forward.