Youngstown State University
7-10, 1-6HL
Wright State
12-7, 5-2HL
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 24 | 42 | 66 |
| Youngstown State | 28 | 34 | 62 |
YSU Loses Late Lead; Falls to Wright State 66-62
1/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
- Vytas Sulskis Postgame Interview
- Head Coach Jerry Slocum Postgame Interview
- Youngstown State-Wright State Highlights
The Youngstown State men's basketball team could not hang on to a 10-point second half lead and then could not get one of three potential game-tying attempts to fall in a disheartening 66-62 loss to Wright State on Thursday night at the Beeghly Center.
The Penguins grabbed their biggest lead of the game at 58-48 on two free throws by Devonte Maymon with 6:47 remaining. The Raiders answered by scoring the next seven points before DuShawn Brooks' jumper in the lane put YSU back in front by five.
But Wright State scored four straight, including a 3-pointer by AJ Pacher to pull within one. Vytas Sulskis' driving layup with the 2:45 put YSU ahead by three.
Free throws by Evands and a pull up jumper by Tabler put Wright State in front 63-62 with 1:55 left.
Damian Eargle missed two free throws at the 1:40 mark.
On WSU's (13-7 and 6-2) ensuing possession, the Raiders' Matt Vest was whistled for travelling with 1:14 left.
Following a timeout at 1:11, Maymon was stripped as he drove to the basket, but Damian Eargle was able to hustle down the floor and block a layup attempt.
YSU pushed the ball up the floor, but Ashen Ward's layup attempt was short and Tabler grabbed the rebound and was fouled.
Tabler drained both free throws with 44.3 remaining as WSU went in front 65-62.
However, the Penguins (7-11 and 1-7) had three chances to tie.
YSU came down and Ward missed a 3-pointer from the corner, but the Guins grabbed the rebound and called timeout. Maymon missed a three and Sulskis corralled the rebound with 13.7 seconds left. On the inbounds play, Blake Allen found a wide-open Maymon at the top of the key, but his 3-pointer was short.
The first half went back-and-forth as neither team led by more than five, and YSU went into the locker room ahead 28-24.
Youngstown State scored the first five points of the game and led 11-6 after a Sulskis free throw with 13:34 remaining. The Raiders cut the margin to one three times before a Vaughn Duggins bucket gave them their first lead at 19-18 with 6:44 left.
The score was tied 22-22 with three possessions later, and Ward's 10th point of the half put YSU back on top, 24-22 with 3:41 remaining. Armond Battle tied the score off an offensive rebound on Wright State's next possession, but the Raiders didn't score for the final three minutes of the period.
Tre Brewer put YSU back on top with a drive through the lane with 2:30 left, and DuShawn Brooks scored off a pass from Kendrick Perry with 37 ticks remaining for the final bucket of the period.
YSU outshot Wright State 37 percent to 29 percent in the opening period. Ward led all scorers with 10 points, and N'Gai Evans had eight for Wright State.
The Penguins return to action on Saturday night when they play host to Detroit. Tipoff at the Beeghly Center is set for 7:05 p.m. following the Penguins' women's contest against the Titans. The game will be live on the Horizon League Network and 570 WKBN.
