Youngstown State falls to Cleveland State, 81-78
Penguins’ 5-game win streak broken
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CLEVELAND -- The Wolstein woes continue.
Youngstown State saw its five-game win streak come to an end Sunday afternoon, as the Penguins fell to host Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center, 81-78.
YSU (20-7, 12-4 Horizon League) hasn't won in the Wolstein Center since the 2017-18 season, head coach Jerrod Calhoun's first year at YSU. The Penguins also have dropped five of the last six to the Vikings (16-11, 11-5 Horizon League).
"You have to give credit to Cleveland State. I thought they took us out of stuff. They're one of the best defensive teams in this conference. They really pressure the ball, and they're very, very big on that front line," Calhoun said. "But I give our guys a lot of credit. They bounced back, and we battled to the end."
Indeed, neither team led by more than eight points, and the game featured 10 lead changes and eight ties. CSU built that eight-point advantage late with free throws as YSU was trying to extend the game with fouls.
But, as Calhoun mentioned, the Penguins struggled to generate much rhythm offensively against CSU's defense, which entered the game ranked third in the Horizon League in points per game.
The Penguins were 31-of-72 from the field (43.1 percent), which was a decent showing, but went just 6-for-24 from 3-point range and never landed any sort of run to create separation. Brandon Rush led Youngstown State with 20 points on an 8-for-16 day, but went 2-for-8 from deep.
Meanwhile, Adrian Nelson had 12 points and 19 rebounds, but went 0-for-5 from 3-point range, and Dwayne Cohill posted 17 points. Malek Green notched 10 points and seven boards.
Part of YSU's struggles out top began with Cleveland State's defense, which quickly double-teamed Cohill and Rush off of ball screens to chase them off of the 3-point line.
"Our guards struggled," Calhoun said. "Their pressure was really good, but you're going to have some good days and some bad days. I thought they did a really good job of double-teaming Dwayne and really trying to wear him down."
The Penguins did find some success in the paint. YSU held a 48-36 advantage there and also had 21 second-chance points to CSU's nine. Green was a huge part in that with six offensive boards, while Nelson had four and Cohill had three.
However, it wasn't enough to overcome efficient games from Tristan Enaruna and Tae Williams and an explosive second half from Drew Lowder.
Enaruna went 7-for-13 for 18 points, his 14th consecutive game in double figures, and Williams went 9-for-14 to score 20. Lowder, meanwhile, had just five points at halftime on a 2-for-6 start, but finished with 15 points on a 6-for-14 day that included two second-half triples.
One of those put CSU up five points, 70-65, with 3:01 to go. With the shot clock winding down and Bryce McBride defending him tightly, Lowder hit a fadeaway trey from well beyond the three-point line. That forced YSU to begin chasing the rest of the way.
"That's basketball," Calhoun said. "He's done that throughout the year for them, and we've had guys do that for us. He made some incredible shots. You just have to tip your cap to him and move on."
With the loss, the Penguins dropped back into a tie with Milwaukee for the Horizon League's top spot. The Panthers visit the Beeghly Center on Thursday night.
Milwaukee won the initial matchup in Wisconsin, 88-75, on Jan. 21.
"I've got a lot of respect for what Bart Lundy's done in Milwaukee," Calhoun said. "I think they're one of the most athletic, toughest teams in the league, so it's going to be a tough challenge. But this is why you come to college -- to play in these types of games."
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com