Youngstown -- For the third straight contest, the Youngstown State women's basketball team opened the game in good shape. YSU tied the contest three times in the early going and trailed by just four points with 4:13 left in the first half. However, a late Bulldog spurt proved to be too much to overcome as the Penguins lost 74-48 on Saturday afternoon at the Beeghly Center.

YSU (0-17 overall and 0-6 in the Horizon League) watched the Bulldogs (10-6 and 3-2) score the final 10 points of the half expanding an 18-14 lead at the 4:13 mark to 28-14 at the break. Freshman Brandi Brown scored eight of the Guins' 14 points in the opening half and she made four of the squad's seven field goals.

Freshman Maryum Jenkins scored the first two baskets of the second half to stop the run. However, Butler answered with eight straight points to go on top 36-18 before Kenya Middlebrooks's 3-point play stopped that streak.

YSU was able to get within 15 points on two occasions at 38-23 and 39-24, but that was as close as it would get.

The Bulldogs dominated inside offensively with 52 points in the paint compared to YSU's 18. Because of its success inside, Butler did not make a 3-pointer in the contest. The Bulldogs also scored 30 points off 25.

Brown had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for the Penguins. It was her seventh double-double of the season. Middlebrooks ended up with 11 points for YSU. Leading the way for Butler was Melanie Thornton who had a game-high 19 points.

In the first half, Butler shot 44.9 percent (13-of-29) from the field while forcing the Guins into 17 turnovers. The Penguins battled hard on the glass, owning a 17-13 advantage on the boards. Neither team connected on a 3-pointer in the first half, combining to miss eight attempts.

Youngstown State returns to action on Friday when they visit Cleveland State. Tipoff at the Wolstein Center is set for 5 p.m.