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YOUNGSTOWN -- Around halftime, the seeding was set, the sixth-seeded Penguins would take on the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies in the Horizon League Tournament, win or lose.
It took an extra period of play, but Youngstown State University went on to lose to Cleveland State University for the second time this season, falling to the Vikings, 89-80 in overtime.
"We got up 10 and didn't capitalize," Penguins coach Jerrod Calhoun said. "We missed a couple layups. You have to give them credit. They're not playing in the postseason but that didn't matter to them. It's tough."
Darius Quisenberry continued his strong play this season, scoring 32 points and shot 5-of-7 from behind the arc leading the team. Naz Bohannon and Michael Akuchie each brought down nine rebounds to lead the Penguins.
Garrett Covington missed the game with an illness. He's likely to return for the tournament but it's still up in the air.
"Losing Covington was a difficult task, he's our best defensive player and our toughest player," Calhoun said. "When you lose your best defender it's very very difficult, but our guys didn't make excuses, they didn't hang their heads, they knew 'G' would be out and I thought some guys stepped up."
It was Senior Day for YSU, but with only one senior on the roster, it became "Noe Anabir Day." Not one for the spotlight, Anabir just wanted his teammates to play hard, not for him but for each other.
"Everyone was like 'play for him, play for 21,'" Anabir said. "I told them 'I appreciate you guys but play for each other. Play for me too but play for each other first.'"
To honor the Geneva born Anabir, the YSU Pep Band played the Swiss national anthem before the game as a surprise to the player.
"It was the biggest surprise today," Anabir said."I wasn't expecting that. I was really happy about that and I thank the band for showing me love like that. Every fan that came here too. Also they had the flag on the court, it was very special for me. I appreciated that."
Anabir finished the game with a career-high 16 points and also brought down three rebounds.
The Penguins kick off their tournament in Michigan on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Moving on quickly and mental toughness are the keys for YSU heading into the tournament. Calhoun says that toughness may be what they need most if they want to win the title.
"It's going to be a hostile environment," Calhoun said. "Oakland is playing well, they finished 11-7 and third in the conference. It's a team that we took to the wire here and we beat there. I told our guys after the game that the teams that win the Horizon League Tournament is going to be the mentally toughest team. It's the mentally tough teams that win and I don't think that's an accident."