Youngstown -- An inspired early second-half effort allowed the Youngstown State women's basketball team to whittle an 18-point halftime deficit down to seven, but the Penguins could not get any closer in a home-opening 66-42 loss to Buffalo on Wednesday night at the Beeghly Center.
    After watching the Bulls (1-2) score 20 of the final 24 points to end the first half, YSU trailed 33-15 at halftime. But in the second half, the Guins turned up their heat defensively to get back in the game.
    YSU (0-2) scored the first eight points of the second half while keeping Buffalo off the scoreboard for nearly four minutes.
    The Penguins got their deficit into single digits at 40-31 on an inside basket by Nikita LaFleur at the 12:50 mark.
    Two free throws by Makala Gasparek brought the Guins within 40-33 at the 12:02 mark. The 18-7 run helped get Youngstown State within reach.
    YSU again trailed by seven (42-35) on a Macey Nortey basket 40 seconds later, but the fatigue of only having 10 players dress and playing full-court defense started taking its effect. Buffalo scored 17 straight points to seize control of the contest and never looked back.
    The Guins snapped the UB run when Ashley Pendleton converted two free throws with 5:07 remaining in the game.
    Leading the way offensively for the Penguins was Tiara Scott, who had 13 points and six rebounds. For the Bulls, Kourtney Brown scored a career-high 22 points.
    Both teams combined for 59 turnovers, including 32 by the Penguins. Also, YSU did not make a 3-pointer for the first time Jan. 26, 2006, missing on all 13 attempts.
    The Bulls scored the first five points of the game before the Guins got on the scoreboard on a basket by Scott.
    At the 8:56 mark, Scott's three-point play cut the deficit to 13-11. From that point, the Bulls scored 20 of the final 24 points of the first half to go in front 33-15 at the break.
    The Penguins remain at home when they entertain Niagara on Saturday. Tipoff against the Purple Eagles is set for 5:15 p.m. and is the first game of a men's-women's doubleheader.