Youngstown State thumps Canisius, 75-50
Ritz and Callahan combine for 41, while YSU’s defense leads way to fifth straight win
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YOUNGSTOWN -- Once among the primary concerns entering the 2022-23 season, defense has become one of Youngstown State's strengths.
The Penguins turned in another impressive effort on that end of the court, picking up their fifth straight win in a 75-50 victory over visiting Canisius on Saturday afternoon at the Beeghly Center.
Youngstown State (6-3) gave up just eight points in each the first and second quarters to take a commanding 38-16 lead into the intermission, and then made that stand in the second half.
"Defensively, I thought we were really good in the first half," said YSU coach John Barnes. "We held them to 16 points in the first half, and I think our players were pretty locked in."
Early on, Canisius (3-6) was able to hang even with the Penguins, as the teams battled out to a 9-8 YSU lead with 1:30 to go in the first quarter. YSU was able to finish the quarter on a quick 5-0 spurt, all scored by Lilly Ritz, to take a 14-8 lead into the second quarter.
Canisius battled back to within 14-12, before YSU began an onslaught. The Penguins scored the next 19 points on a decisive run keyed primarily by Ritz and Megan Callahan, YSU's two leading scorers in the rout.
Ritz scored seven of her game-high 26 points during that stretch, which lasted from the 8:12 mark until Canisius scored on a Brooklyn Thrash layup with 2:43 left in the half. Callahan chipped in six points during the run and finished with 15 points. Ritz also tallied seven rebounds.
"They're really locked into the scouting reports and understanding how important it is," Barnes said of his Penguins. "We've said it since summer: we're only going as far as our defense takes us. So I think they're figuring that out, and we've been pretty locked in for the last four or five games. It's good to see."
In the second half, Canisius ramped up the defensive pressure in an attempt to turn the Penguins over and claw back into the game.
In some sense, it worked. After giving up just five turnovers in the first half, YSU committed 12 in the second courtesy of the Golden Griffins' press and higher pressure, but also by way of a few offensive fouls.
However, Canisius never got closer than 17 points. The Golden Griffins committed eight giveaways of their own, and struggled from the field, shooting just 11-for-32 after halftime and 18-for-55 the whole day.
"They did a really nice job of picking up the pressure and turning us over and trying to fight their way back in," Barnes said. "Fortunately, we had some big shots. I think Megan (Callahan) hit a big three, and Shay (Kirby) hit a big three, and Dena (Jarrells) had a great fastbreak dish for an and-one. Malia had an and-one, too, so we had some big shots to kind of defray their comeback."
Magestro finished with 10 points, while Jarrells had eight points and two assists. Kirby scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Barnes has been pleased with his group of transfers as of late, which includes Kirby, Jarrells and forward Emily Saunders, who had four points.
"I think our transfers are getting more comfortable. ... Things are coming together," he said.
Barnes added, "(It took) just time and experience. I think summer helps a lot, and obviously the fall and all the practices, but until you get into game situations and crucial minutes while you're in there, it doesn't completely click. I feel like they're all doing a really good job."
The Penguins host St. Francis (PA) on Friday.