Opening up in style
Different approach fuels Penguins victory
Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo YSU’s Olamide Pedersen, left, and Garrett Covington, left, pressure Heidelberg’s Dylan Woods. The Penguins won their home opener, 106-83, Monday at the Beeghly Center in Youngstown.
Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo YSU’s Darius Quisenberry dribbles up the court as teammate Noe Anabir trails the play.
Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo YSU’s Olamide Pedersen, left, and Garrett Covington, left, pressure Heidelberg’s Dylan Woods. The Penguins won their home opener, 106-83, Monday at the Beeghly Center in Youngstown.
Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo YSU’s Darius Quisenberry dribbles up the court as teammate Noe Anabir trails the play.
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YOUNGSTOWN -- Sophomore Garrett Covington had time to reflect following Monday's 106-83 win over Heidelberg.
He and the Youngstown State basketball team had shot less than 30 percent from 3-point range through three games. Youngstown State was 4 of 17 against the NCAA Division III Student Princes in Monday’s home opener.
Covington, who had a game-high 21 points, said he and his teammates knew to drive toward the basket. YSU (1-2) was 35 of 71 from the floor.
"Our coach was emphasizing we need to get into the paint," said Covington, who had a game-high 21 points.
The Penguins had 58 points in the paint, something YSU is in desperate need of since the team's two successful scrimmages, where 60 percent of their points derived from an inside-out game.
"Our paint touches haven't been as good as we like," YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun said. "We put a big emphasis. Tonight, those guys did a better job in the second half when they went down two and the game got tight. It was good to see that."
Heidelberg (0-1) cut the lead to 56-54 with 15:33 left, but the Penguins outscored the Student Princes 22-5 in the next 5 minutes to take control.
Freshman Jelani Simmons, who had a career-high 14 points, wanted to play hard on Dom Rosselli Court and listen to his coaches.
Calhoun was poignant during that break.
"He told us to sit down and play D or it would be tough to practice (today)," Simmons said.
It's a young YSU team with most of the roster anchored by freshmen and junior-college players. There's still a learning curve for these Penguins. Monday was part of that process, especially in the second half.
"I wanted them to figure it out and communicate with one another," Calhoun said.
He lauded the Student Princes for a great game plan, putting pressure in the backcourt on the YSU guards -- putting the Penguins in an up-tempo game as Heidelberg shot 14 of 41 from 3.
"I thought the style of play was good for us," Calhoun said. "It made our young guard handle the ball, advance the ball. At times we looked really good. At times, we look like we have a lot to work on, which I think we do.
"I think our players want to get up 20-0 in the first minute. You can't do that, especially with a young group. Now, they'll have a better appreciation. Same thing happened last year with Westminster. I respect all levels, Divisions I, II, III. There's great players, great teams at all levels. I thought we got a lot out of the game, obviously we made a lot of mistakes. I thought we got better today from it."
SCORING: Myron Prewitt led Heidelberg with 24 points, while Darius Quisenberry (16 points), Devin Morgan (13) and Donel Cathcart (12) scored in double figures for YSU.
NOT WELL: The Penguins are battling some sickness. Radio voice Robb Schmidt has a hacking cough, but was able to battle through Monday's broadcast with water and cough drops. Even Olamide Pedersen, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds, felt the ill effects prior to this weekend's tournament in New York City.
"I think our radio guy Robb Schmidt passed it to me (Sunday)," Calhoun said. "I wasn't feeling real well throughout the game and Ola just threw up in the locker room just now.
"It's that time in northeast Ohio. Weather is changing. We have to get some rest and get ready for this tournament."
OFF THE BENCH: YSU cleared its bench during Monday's game as John F. Kennedy graduate Justin Bofenkamp played the last couple of minutes with two rebounds. … Antwan Maxwell is the only player who didn't see time against Heidelberg because he twisted his ankle in Sunday's practice. Calhoun said it swelled up on him.