Tipoff Notes
Youngstown State returns home to begin a four-game Horizon League homestand when it hosts Cleveland State, Thursday, Dec. 29. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Beeghly Center and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+. This is the second of three basketball doubleheaders with the Youngstown State women's basketball team.
Up Next
The Penguins host Purdue Fort Wayne, Saturday, Dec. 31. Tipoff is set for 2:45 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
Tickets, Promotions, Fan Information
Tickets | Gameday & Parking Information | Visitors Guide | Promotional Schedule | YSU Mobile App - iOS - Android
- Advance tickets for Thursday's game are available on YSUsports.com, over the phone at (330) 941-1978 or at the Stambaugh Stadium Athletics Ticket Office. The Beeghly Center Ticket Office and gates will open at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday.
- Promotions
- Performance Dogs of Ohio Show at half time, presented by Balto Raw
- Miller Lite Thirsty Thursday: $2 beer
The Cleveland Series
This is the 100th meeting between Youngstown State and Cleveland State in a series that dates back to 1930. Cleveland State owns a 55-44 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last four games. Youngstown State's last victory over Cleveland State was a 67-55 win on Feb. 8, 2020, at Beeghly Center.
Scouting Cleveland State
Cleveland State enters the game with an overall record of 7-6 and a 2-0 mark in Horizon League play. The Vikings are coming off a 78-48 win over Mt. St. Joseph on Dec. 21. Leading the Vikings is Tristan Enaruna with 10.9 points per game overall. Tae Williams leads Cleveland State in scoring against league foes with 16.5 points per contest. The Vikings defeated Horizon League foes Oakland, 80-64, on Dec. 1 and Detroit Mercy, 92-77, on Dec. 3. Both games were at home.
A Win Would...
- Improve YSU's record to 10-4 and mark the Penguins' best record after 14 games since going 10-4 in 1997-98.
- Mark just the fourth time since 1981-82 YSU has started 10-4 through 14 games.
- Give the Penguins a 2-1 record in Horizon League play and a 1-0 mark in home conference games.
- Be YSU's 45th win over Cleveland State and the first since 2020.
- Mark Youngstown State's 27th win over Cleveland State in Youngstown and the 15th at Beeghly Center.
- Improve the Penguins' record to 5-1 at home.
- Be the 206th in Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun's career and his 82nd at Youngstown State.
- Make Jerrod Calhoun the third coach in school history to record at least 82 wins.
Last Time Out
Youngstown State picked up its ninth win of the season with a 76-65 victory at Central Michigan on Dec. 21. Senior Dwayne Cohill led the Penguins with 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the floor. Malek Green had 16 points, Brandon Rush has 15 and Adrian Nelson added 10.
Cohill POW For Third Time
For the third time this season, senior Dwayne Cohill was named the Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week on Dec. 26. Cohill became the first player in program history to earn at least three league weekly awards in the same season. He scored 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the floor with three 3-pointers in YSU's 76-65 win over Central Michigan on Dec. 21
Guins Rank Nationally
As of Dec. 27, Bryce McBride ranks second in the nation with a .976 free-throw percentage, and Adrian Nelson ranks 10th nationally with six double-doubles. As a team, the Penguins rank eighth nationally with 85.0 points per game and 12th with a .781 free-throw percentage.
Sweet Charity
Youngstown State has been taking advantage of its time at the free-throw line this season. The Penguins lead the Horizon League and rank 12th in the nation with a .781 free-throw percentage. Senior Bryce McBride ranks second in the nation the league with a .976 free-throw percentage while Dwayne Cohill is third in the league at .865.
Glass Cleaners
Graduate student Malek Green and Adrian Nelson have been a formidable presence on the glass for the Penguins this season. Nelson ranks second in the Horizon League with 9.2 rebounds per game while Green is sixth in the circuit at 7.4 rebounds per contest. Nelson has six double-digit rebound games this season while Green has four.
Cohill's December
Since Dec. 1, senior Dwayne Cohill has been quite impressive. Over that span, Cohill is averaging 23.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He also connected on 64.8 percent from the field, 65.4 percent from 3-point range and 88.2 percent from the free-throw line. He is also averaging 2.83 3s made per game.
