Nacogdoches, Texas – The Youngstown State men's basketball team overcame a 14-point first-half deficit en route to a 72-62 victory over Monmouth on Thursday afternoon at the Axe 'Em Classic at William R. Johnson Coliseum.

Fifth-year senior Nico Galette recorded his first double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and senior EJ Farmer scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to lead the Penguins, who improve to 2-2 on the year.

Fifth-year senior Ty Harper scored 10 points and junior Cris Carroll added 10 points off the bench.

Leading Monmouth, who falls to 0-6, was Jaret Valencia with 18 points while Abdi Bashir, Jr. had 14 points.

Down 38-24 with just over a minute left in the first half, Galette hit a 3-pointer and Christian Kirkland made a pair of free throws to score the last five points of the half and cut the lead to nine, 38-29, at the intermission.

Youngstown State opened the second half scoring 14 of the first 18 points, including an 12-0 run, to take a 43-42 lead at the 15:08 mark. Farmer scored the Penguins first five points of the half followed by baskets by Galette and Harper to force a Monmouth timeout trailing 42-38.

Farmer hit a 3-pointer and added a layup to give the Penguins a 43-42 lead.

Monmouth knotted the game at 45-45, but the Penguins went on another big run to take a double-digit lead midway through the half. Harper began the 14-4 run with his lone 3-pointer of the game, and Farmer hit a 3-pointer, Carroll converting a driving layup and Juwan Maxey buried a 3-pointer to push the Penguins lead to nine.

After a Monmouth basket, Christian Kirkland made a basket, and Farmer added a charity toss for a 59-49 lead with 9:35 left.

Monmouth trimmed the lead down six, 59-53, but the Penguins rebuilt the lead to double digits after baskets by Carroll and Jason Nelson for a 63-53 lead at the 2:39 mark.

Monmouth would not get closer than seven points the rest of the way.

The teams batted through seven lead changes and two ties in the first half before the Hawks created some separation. Monmouth went on a 10-3 run to turn a slim three-point edge into a 10-point, 32-22, advantage with just under three minutes remaining. The Hawks scored six of the next eight to take a game-high 14-point lead with 1:01 left before halftime.

Youngstown State faces Presbyterian Friday, Nov. 22. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.