The Youngstown State women's basketball team cut a 19-point, second-half deficit to three in the final minute but couldn't complete the large comeback in a 74-70 loss to Northern Arizona on Saturday at the Orleans Arena.

Paige Shy scored a career-high 21 points, 13 of which came in the second half, and Shay-Lee Kirby matched her with 21 points, which was her most as a Penguin. Malia Magestro added 10 points, and her 3-pointer with 33 seconds left made the score 73-70.

Northern Arizona took more than 20 seconds off the clock as YSU tried to force a turnover, and Olivia Moran split two free-throw attempts to give the Lumberjacks a two-possession edge. Magestro's 3-pointer on YSU's possession was off the mark, and NAU ran out the clock.

NAU held a 19-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter, and the lead was 41-28 at halftime. The Penguins outscored the Lumberjacks 42-33 in the second half.

Northern Arizona's largest lead was 51-32 with 5:33 left in the third quarter, but the Penguins didn't back down and were able to trim the margin to single digits at 56-48 heading into the fourth.

Kirby made a lay-up on YSU's first possession of the fourth, and Abby Liber's first 3-pointer as a Penguin got the Guins to within 58-55 with 8:55 on the clock. Leia Beattie hit a 3 for the Lumberjacks 24 seconds later, and they were able to maintain at least a two-possession lead until Magestro's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left.

Shy was 8-for-12 from the field and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and Kirby was 8-for-15 overall and 7-for-9 from long distance. The Penguins were 4-for-14 from the field in the first quarter, and they were 19-for-41 over the final 30 minutes. YSU was 14-for-21 from the free-throw line.

Sophie Glancey finished with a game-high 26 points to lead Northern Arizona, which shot 46.8% from the field.

Youngstown State will begin Horizon League play on Thursday by hosting Detroit Mercy at 6:30 p.m. at Beeghly Center.