Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. YSU forward Sarah Baker takes a jump shot over Akron's Corinne Reed during the Penguins' 90-63 rout of the Zips on Sunday at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.

AKRON — On a day the outside shots weren’t falling at their usual clip, Youngstown State went to its strength in the post.

Led by the forward duo of Sophia Gregory and Sarah Baker, the Penguins scored 50 points in the paint, while also dominating on the glass and at the free-throw line in a 90-63 rout of rival Akron on Sunday.

“I thought we would definitely have an advantage, but you never know,” head coach Melissa Jackson said of the team’s post play. “I thought we might see a little bit of a double team, but that never came. We were prepared for a lot of different things. Sometimes as a coach you go in thinking one thing, and then you do another thing. So I’m really proud of our kids and how they adjusted in game.”

YSU’s 27-point bludgeoning of the Zips was the program’s first win at Akron since 2011. It was also the Penguins’ biggest margin of victory against the Zips since winning by 28 in 2000, and their largest win at Akron since a 28-point win in 1979.

“We were very good offensively — running our sets, knowing where the ball needed to go, and then we finished today I tought, through some contact and were very good in transition as well,” Jackson said.

Jackson made her return to James A. Rhodes Arena for the first time since concluding her time with the ZIps in 2023.

In her 15 years at Akron, Jackson spent 10 years as an assistant coach, before taking over as head coach from 2018-23 and compiling a 72-69 record in her five years leading the program.

“It was a little weird (being back), in all truthfulness and honesty,” Jackson said. “But I’m really proud of how hard our kids played and how locked-in we were.”

After a quiet start to the season, as she’s continued to get more comfortable in the No. 4 spot, Gregory has led the Penguins in scoring in back-to-back games.

She had her first double-figure game of the season in last week’s loss to Toledo and then followed it up with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Zips.

“It definitely took a little bit (of time),” Gregory said of the position change. “I wouldn’t say as much as it did at the five position last year, but my teammates have really done a good job at telling me what to do, helping me, pushing me along, especially my coaches. But I think the transition has been pretty smooth, and I hope to keep going.”

Gregory’s partnership with Baker in the post is exactly what YSU envisioned, as they combined for 40 points. Baker finished with 16 points against Akron, as she continues to be one of the team’s leading scorers this season.

“They play really well together, and they’re just constantly continuing to get better as they see different defenses and different coverages,” Jackson said. “They’re starting to learn to make the reads, and I think everything is slowing down for them. Because early on in their careers, and even a little bit this year, they were playing a little sped up. I do think they’re just a little bit more comfortable as each game goes. They’re a tough, tough duo, Sophia is a tough matchup for anybody just with her versatility.”

YSU outscored Akron in the paint 50-26, while also outrebounding the Zips 42-26 and shooting nearly perfect at the free-throw line (20-for-21), as the Penguins attacked the post.

Paulina Hernandez also provided a spark in the post off the bench, finishing with five points, five rebounds and four blocks.

The Penguins have five players finish in double figures. Along with Gregory and Baker, Erica King chipped in 14 points, while Hayden Barrier had 12 points and Casey Santoro had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.

“It’s fun as a coach, it’s fun to call the game,” Jackson said of the depth of scoring. “What I love is the 19 assists. I thought we shared the ball really well. I thought we passed it well. So on any given night, it can be anybody’s night. But I think it’s always going to be Youngstown’s night because of the balance and because of the confidence we have in our kids.”

King might have had the largest fan continent in the gym on Sunday.

An Akron native, who played high school basketball five minutes down the road at St. Vincent-St. Mary, King’s 14-point performance was her fourth straight game scoring in double figures. She also had five assists in her return to her hometown.

“I grew up watching people in this gym, so it just means a lot to come out here and actually prove that I belong out here. I would come to at least a couple games a season when I was younger,” King said. “I knew this building. I ran around here when I was little. So I knew being here, it would be nostalgic for me. … I had a lot of people come out. It’s just good to know that I’m loved and that all these people support me and actually believe in me. It’s just a really great feeling.”

YSU now begins Horizon League play this weekend with the Wisconsin road swing. The Penguins play at Milwaukee at 7 p.m. on Friday night, then head to Green Bay at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Youngstown State 90, Akron 63

YSU 22 16 34 18 — 90

AKR 9 15 23 16 — 63

YOUNGSTOWN STATE (5-2): Sophia Gregory 10-13 4-4 24, Sarah Baker 6-10 4-4 16, Danielle Cameron 2-6 1-2 7, Erica King 5-12 4-4 14, Casey Santoro 5-9 2-2 12, Paulina Hernandez 2-3 1-1 5, Hayden Barrier 3-5 4-4 12, Faith Burch 0-1 0-0 0, Dacia Lewandowski 0-0 0-0 0, Brooke Adkins 0-0 0-0 0, Bella Samz 0-0 0-0 0, Ashlynn Van Tassell 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 33-59 20-21 90.

AKRON (0-7): Ni’Rah Clark 1-8 3-4 5, Shaena Brew 3-8 0-4 6, Corinne Reed 2-6 5-6 10, Maddie Vejsicky 4-8 1-3 11, Teniesha Clarke 3-11 0-0 8, Natalie Johnson 2-5 2-3 6, Izzy Callaway 4-6 0-0 11, Liisa Taponen 2-4 2-2 6, Liz Murphy 0-2 0-0 0, Ella Wigal 0-1 0-0 0. TOTALS: 21-59 13-22 63.