Youngstown State vs. Cleveland State
Nov. 29, 2023 | Beeghly Center
Youngstown, Ohio | 6:30 p.m.

Broadcast Information
Radio: 570 WKBN (Robb Schmidt/Ron Potesta) | Listen
TV: ESPN+ (Robb Schmidt/Ron Potesta) | Watch
App Audio - iHeartRadio App
Live Stats 

Tipoff Notes
The Youngstown State men's basketball team opens Horizon League play when it hosts in-state rival Cleveland State, Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Beeghly Center. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in Youngstown, Ohio. The game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
The Penguins visit Robert Morris, Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa. 

Last Time Out
Youngstown State is coming off a 77-69 loss to Atlantic-10 member Dayton on Nov. 24. Brandon Rush led four players in double figures with 18 points. Ziggy Reid scored a season-high 17 points while Brett Thompson and Bryson Langdon each added 14 points.

Series vs. Cleveland State
This is the 102nd meeting between Youngstown State and Cleveland State in a series that dates back to 1930. The Vikings own a 56-45 advantage in the all-time series and have won 10 of the last 13 contests, including the most recent game, 81-78, in Cleveland on Feb. 12, 2023. The Penguins have won two of the last three games in Youngstown, including an 85-71 victory on Dec. 29, 2022, at Beeghly Center.

Scouting Cleveland State
Cleveland State enters the game with an overall record of 5-2 and is coming off an 86-59 win over Alabama A&M on Nov. 25. Tristan Enaruna leads the Vikings with 17.6 points per game. Tae Williams is averaging 13.6 points per game while Drew Lowder averages 13.4 points per contest. As a team, Cleveland State is averaging 78.9 points per game and shooting 46.2 percent from the field. The Vikings are allowing 65.3 points per contest.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 4-3.
• Give YSU a 4-0 home record.
• Be YSU's 46th win all-time over Cleveland State.
• Be YSU's 28th home win over Cleveland State.
• Mark YSU's second straight home victory over the Vikings
• Be the 224th in Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun's career and his 100th at Youngstown State.
• Make Jerrod Calhoun the third coach in school history to record at least 100 wins.
• Be Jerrod Calhoun's fourth win over Cleveland State.

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last four-plus seasons. The Penguins, who have won 11 straight regular-season home games and 13 of the last 15 overall, have won 53 games at Beeghly Center since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 53-18 mark during that time. 

Lovelace Sets Career High
Sophomore John Lovelace, Jr., willed the Penguins to victory on Sunday with a career-high 29 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Lovelace connected on 12-of-17 from the floor with two 3-pointers. It marked the first 20-point game of his career.

Penguin Portal Success
Over the last two seasons, Youngstown State has flourished during the transfer portal era. The Penguins own a record of 45-28 over the past two-plus campaigns, and produced five all-conference selections. Youngstown State has been tough to beat at home over the last two years posting a 30-10 mark.