Buffalo, N.Y. -- The Youngstown State men's basketball team used a 33-3 run over the last 8:42 of the first half to spark a 92-81 road victory over Canisius on Monday evening at the Koessler Athletic Center.
Four players reached in double figures led by graduate student Malek Green, who transferred from Canisius, with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Graduate Adrian Nelson and senior Brandon Rush each had 16 points while senior Dwayne Cohill added 15 points.
The Penguins improve to 1-0 while the Golden Griffins fall to 0-1.
Youngstown State shot an incredible 70.6 percent from the field in the first half with four 3-pointers and shot 56.7 percent from the field for the game. The Penguins outscored the Golden Griffins, 62-24, in the paint, 24-9 in fast-break points, and outrebounded Canisius, 48-26.
Through the first 9:25, the Penguins and Golden Griffins batted through seven six lead changes and four ties before Canisius went on a 7-0 run to take a 32-25 lead with 9:05 left.
A basket by senior Bryce McBride and a jumper and 3-pointer by Rush tied the game at 32-32 at the 7:52 mark.
Two fast-break layups by Green, a driving layup by Rush and back-to-back 3-pointers by Green and Rush extended the Penguins scoring run to 19 straight and gave YSU a 44-32 lead with 5:41 to go before halftime.
After a Canisius made free throw, Youngstown State scored 12 of the last 14 points of the half to take a 58-35 lead into the lockerroom.
The Penguins did not allow a made field over the last 9:05 of the first half.
Youngstown State extended its lead to as many as 25 three times in the second half, and led 81-56 with 8:04 to go.
Canisius cut the lead to 12, 83-71, with just over four minute remaining, but the Penguins scored the next nine points to boost the lead back to 21, 92-71, with 1:42 left.Â
The Golden Griffins scored the final 10 points of the game.
Youngstown State hosts Tennessee-Martin in the 2022-23 home opener, Wednesday, Nov. 9. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Beeghly Center. The game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.
