Youngstown State at Robert Morris
Dec. 2, 2023 | UPMC Events Center
Moon Township, Pa. | 2 p.m.

Broadcast Information
Radio: 1390 WNIO (Robb Schmidt) | Listen
TV: ESPN+ | Watch
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Live Stats 

Tipoff Notes
The Youngstown State men's basketball team (4-3, 1-0 Horizon League) goes for its second straight Horizon League win and first road victory when it visits Robert Morris, Saturday, Dec. 2, at the UPMC Events Center.Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa. The game will be broadcast on 1390 WNIO and ESPN+.

Up Next
The Penguins return to non-conference play when they visit Mid-American Conference foe Ohio, Wednesday, Dec. 6. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Athens, Ohio.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State is coming off an impressive 94-69 win over Horizon League rival Cleveland State on Nov. 29. Sophomore John Lovelace, Jr., scored a team-high 23 points to lead the Penguins. Brett Thompson had 17 points while Bryson Langdon had 14 and Ziggy Reid added 10.

Series vs. Robert Morris
This is the 28th meeting between Youngstown State and Robert Morris in a series that dates back to 1989. The Colonials own a slim 14-13 advantage in the all-time series and have won three of the last four contests, including an 83-64 victory on Feb. 21, 2023, at the UPMC Events Center. The last time Youngstown State won at the UPMC Events Center was a 64-60 victory on Jan. 5, 2022. Youngstown State defeated Robert Morris, 78-56, at Beeghly Center on Jan. 5, 2023.

Scouting Robert Morris
Robert Morris enters the game with an overall record of 2-5 and 0-1 in the Horizon League after coming off a 77-59 loss to Northern Kentucky on Nov. 29. The Colonials have wins over Point Park, 66-56, and Fairleigh Dickinson, 97-86. Justice Williams leads the Colonials with 15.2 points per game while Josh Corbin is posting 14.5 points per game, Markesse Hastings is at 13.8 points per contest, and TJ Wainwright is averaging 12.7 points a game. As a team, Robert Morris is averaging 68.6 points per game and shooting 40.9 percent from the field. The Colonials are allowing 73.4 points per contest.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 5-3 overall and 2-0 in the Horizon League.
• Mark YSU's first road win record.
• Be YSU's 14th win over Robert Morris.
• Be Youngstown State's eighth win at Robert Morris and the fourth at the UPMC Events Center.
• Mark YSU's first win at Robert Morris since 2022.
• Be the 225th in Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun's career and his 101st at Youngstown State.
• Make Jerrod Calhoun the third coach in school history to record at least 101 wins.
• Be Jerrod Calhoun's sixth win over Robert Morris.

Calhoun Gets 100 at YSU
With the 94-69 win over Cleveland State on Nov. 29, Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun won his 100th game at Youngstown State and became the third coach in program history to win 100 games at YSU. 

Thompson Turnin' Up
Youngstown State fifth-year senior Brett Thompson has turned up his offensive production since being inserted into the starting lineup two games ago. Thompson is averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game since his insertion. He is also shooting 50 percent (12-for-24) from the floor and 36.4 percent (4-for-11) from 3-point range.

Lovin' Lovelace
Youngstown State sophomore John Lovelace, Jr., posted his second career 20-point game in the last three contests in the Penguins 94-69 win over Cleveland State. Lovelace scored a game-high 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting with two 3-pointers, and eight rebounds. Over the last three games, Lovelace averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He also shot 75.9 percent (22-for-29) from the field, 57.1 percent (4-for-7) from 3-point range, and 72.7 percent (8-for-11) from the free-throw line.

Dynes Dynamite
Youngstown State freshman Gabe Dynes made an impressive showing against Cleveland State on Nov. 29. Dynes turned career highs with seven points and four blocks while also grabbing three rebounds in 16 minutes of play. Dynes also ranks second in the Horizon League with 12 blocks and 1.7 blocks per game.

Rush Nearly Makes History
Youngstown State fifth-year senior Brandon Rush buried 10 3-pointers in the Penguins 99-71 win over Ohio Christian. He is just the second player in school history to make at least 10 3s in a game and the first to do so since Mike Alcorn set the school record with 11 on Feb. 24, 1992. Rush currently ranks fifth in the Horizon League with 2.7 made 3-pointers per game.

Burns Among Rebound Leaders
Graduate student DJ Burns has been a force on the boards and scoring the ball this season. In his first seven games at Youngstown State, Burns has record three double-doubles and has posted at least five rebounds six times. He also ranks fourth in the Horizon League with 7.4 rebounds per game. He had 13 points and 11 rebounds at Louisiana, 17 points and 11 rebounds against Ohio Christian, and 16 points and 11 boards against Utah Tech.

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last four-plus seasons. The Penguins, who have won 12 straight regular-season home games and 14 of the last 16 overall, have won 54 games at Beeghly Center since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 54-18 mark during that time.