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Lilly Ritz scored 24 points, Youngstown State shot 12-of-23 from 3-point range and the Penguins absorbed a late Oakland rally to top the Golden Grizzlies on the road Thursday night, 79-68, in each team's Horizon League opener.
The Penguins (3-0, 1-0) led by as much as 22 in the second half, but turnovers allowed Oakland (1-2, 0-1) to get back to within seven, 69-62, with 2:29 to play. However, YSU sank critical free throws down the stretch -- a sharp and welcome turnaround from its performance at the line against Akron -- to push the lead back out to double digits and secure the victory.
After Oakland's Olivia Sims hit a shot to draw the Golden Grizzlies to within that 69-62 deficit, YSU went 10-for-12 on its free throws in the game's final couple minutes.
Ritz added nine rebounds to her stellar performance, which included a 10-for-12 performance from the field. Paige Shy notched a career-high 18 points and added eight rebounds, and Chelsea Olson chipped in 12 points and eight boards. Megan Callahan finished with 11 points, while Lexi Wagner supplied eight points off the bench. As a team, YSU outrebounded Oakland 38-29, and had 21 assists on 48 field goals.
The Penguins did struggle with giveaways, as Oakland turned the Penguins over 21 times.
Youngstown State was without the services of Malia Magestro, who had just scored a career-high 16 points against Akron on Monday. Magestro suffered a lower body injury during practice Wednesday, according to a team spokesperson. Mady Aulbach made her first start of the season in Magestro's place, and scored three points, secured three rebounds and added four assists.
Oakland was paced by Kahlaijah Dean's 18 points.
Youngstown State visits Detroit Mercy at 2 p.m. Saturday. The game tips off at 2 p.m.