Cleveland, Ohio -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team nearly played even with Cleveland State in the second half, but a poor offensive showing in the first half doomed the Penguins to a 65-35 loss Saturday at the Wolstein Center.
     The Penguins and Vikings both scored 23 points up to the 3:25 mark of the the second half when CSU put four of its five starters back in to make the half's final total 30-25.
     CSU's Shawnita Garland scored a game-high 18 points as the only player in double figures. Jessica Roque had nine points for the Vikings while Kailey Klein added eight in 28 minutes.
     Tiara Scott scored all seven of her points in the first 12 minutes of the second half , and Kelsey Gurganus added seven. Monique Godfrey tied her season-high with five points in a season-high 16 minutes.
     The Penguins were outshot 50 percent to 26.5 percent and outscored 40-14 in the paint, 20-12 off turnovers and 12-0 in fast break points. Most of those differences came in the first half. In the second half, CSU outscored YSU 18-14 in the paint and 2-0 on the fast break, and the Penguins held a 7-4 edge in points off turnovers. YSU also made just four turnovers in the second half.
     The second half was overshadowed on the scoreboard, however, as the Penguins were 4-for-19 and committed 13 turnovers in the first half as Cleveland State built a 35-10 lead.
     YSU's Camisha Alexander made the game's first bucket at the 19:41 mark, but Cleveland State scored eight straight points  as YSU committed six turnovers in the first five minutes.
     Kaitlyn March hit a 3-pointer with 13:51 remaining to cut the margin to 8-5, and Cleveland State led 13-7 after Monique Godfrey's bucket with 9:28 remaining. Cleveland State then scored 10 straight points as part of an overall 22-3 run to close out the half. The Vikings, who hit just five of their first 14 shots, made 11 of their final 16 in the period.
     All five of Cleveland State's first-half turnovers occurred in the first 10 minutes prior to its efficient finish. The Vikings shot 53.3 percent in the first half, which had just six combined fouls.
     Garland led all scorers with 10 points in the half while March had five to lead YSU.
     The Penguins return home for two league contests next week. YSU will entertain Detroit at the Beeghly Center on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.