Struggles continue as Penguins fall to Screaming Eagles
The Youngstown State women’s basketball team’s shooting woes continued on Friday afternoon, and the low offensive output led to the Penguins’ third straight lose.
YSU fell 70-34 to Southern Indiana in its first game of the Puerto Rico Clasico in Manati, Puerto Rico.
Friday was the third consecutive game in which the Penguins failed to shoot 40 percent from the floor. They have been outscored 182-113 during the three-game skid.
The Screaming Eagles (6-1) jumped on the Penguins early, taking a 14-5 lead by the end of the first quarter, but it was the second frame where things went off the rails for YSU.
Youngstown State was shutout 18-0 in the second quarter. YSU was 0-for-10 on field goal attempts in the frame, and there wasn’t an attempt from the free-throw line either. On the other hand, Southern Indiana went 8-for-13 shooting to take a 32-8 lead at the halftime break.
The Penguins (4-3) found their groove after play resumed.
YSU shot 7-for-18 (38.9%) from the floor in the third quarter. The Penguins were especially effective from 3-point range, finishing 4-for-8 from behind the arc in the period. However, the deficit was too much, and the Penguins’ shooting fell off again in the fourth quarter, shooting 3-for-16 (18.8%) in the final quarter.
Overall, YSU finished the day 11-for-56 (19.6%) from the floor.
Erika King was the lone Penguin in double figures. She led the team with 11 points while adding five rebounds and three steals.
Sarah Baker added six points with six rebounds, and Jewel Watkins had five points and an assist.
YSU couldn’t stop Ali Saunders, who led all scorers with 13 points. Triniti Ralston and Chloe Gannon both scored 10 points to round out the double-digit scorers for the Screaming Eagles.
The Penguins will be back in action today. They will take on Towson at 1:30 p.m. as action continues in Puerto Rico.