Box Score
Moon Township, Pa. – Senior Michael Akuchie recorded his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Youngstown State men's basketball team to a 64-60 win over Robert Morris on Wednesday evening at the UPMC Events Center.
The Penguins improve to 9-5 overall and 3-1 Horizon League play with the victory while the Colonials fall to 2-11 overall and 0-4 in the league. All three YSU conference victories have come on the road.
Senior Tevin Olison scored 15 points, including 14 in the second half, and tied a career high with four 3-pointers.
Robert Morris placed four players in double figures led by Rasheem Dunn's 15 points. Enoch Cheeks had 12 points while Kahliel Spear had 11 and Kam Farris added 10.
Trailing 49-47 with 7:17 to go, the Penguins went on a 9-0 run keyed by a pair of 3-pointers by Olison and a free throw and put back by Jamir Thomas to give the Guins a 56-49 lead with 4:15 to go.
Youngstown State was able to seal the victory over the final two minutes by making six consecutive free throws and Akuchie's second-chance bucket with 52 seconds left.
In the first half, YSU trailed 6-3 but used a 12-0 run to take a 15-6 advantage with 13:58 remaining. Sophomore Chris Shelton sparked the run with a pair of 3-pointers. Dwayne Cohill added two free throws while freshman Luke Chicone and Daniel Ogoro each added baskets to close out the run.
The Penguins shot just 33.9 percent from the field with 26 turnovers, but outrebounded the Colonials, 49-24. Youngstown State also made 10 3-pointers, including six in the second half. YSU converted 16 of its first 18 free-throw attempts of the contest as well.
The Penguins play their first home game of 2022 when they host Purdue Fort Wayne, Friday, Jan. 7, at the Beeghly Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
