Setting the Scene
After opening the season with six straight games on the road, the Youngstown State men's basketball team makes its first appearance at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center when it hosts Western Michigan in the 2024-25 home opener Wednesday, Nov. 27. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
Youngstown State faces Bethany Saturday, Nov. 30. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State dropped a 64-57 decision to Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 23 to close out the 2024 Axe 'Em Classic. Fifth-year senior Nico Galette scored a team-high 20 points and made a season-high four 3-pointers to lead the Penguins. Ty Harper scored 11 points and dished out five assists.

Series vs. Western Michigan
This is the eighth meeting between Youngstown State and Western Michigan in a series dating back to 1989. The Broncos own a 5-2 edge in the all-time series. Youngstown won the most recent meeting with a 72-68 victory in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Dec. 9, 2023. The Penguins also defeated the Broncos, 64-52, on Nov. 28, 2000, at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. 

Scouting Western Michigan
Western Michigan enters the game with an overall record of 2-4 and is coming off an 80-76 home loss to South Dakota on Nov. 20. The Broncos have wins over Davenport (86-46, Nov. 7) and Canisius (92-69, Nov. 17). JaVaughn Hannah leads the Broncos with 12 points per game while Owen Lobsinger is averaging 11.3 points per game. The Bronco are averaging 72.7 points per game and allowing 69.8 points per contest.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 3-4 overall.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's third career win.
• Mark Youngstown State's third win over Western Michigan.
• Mark YSU's second straight win over the Broncos.
• Be Youngstown State's second win over Western Michigan at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's first win over Western Michigan.
• Give the Penguins a 1-0 home record. 

Galette Gets Double-Double, Third 20-Point Game
Fifth-year senior Nico Galette came up big in the Penguins' 72-62 comeback victory over Monmouth on Nov. 21. Galette scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Penguins to the 10-point victory. Galette also scored at least 20 points in a game for the third time this season. He led the Penguins with 20 points in 64-57 loss at Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 23.

Dynes Nearing 100 Blocks
Sophomore Gabe Dynes is establishing himself as one of the best shot blockers in school history in just his second season. Dynes has 79 career blocked shots and ranks eighth all-time in school history. He needs 21 more to become just the fifth Youngstown State player to record at least 100 blocks in a career.

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last five seasons. The Penguins had won 15 straight regular-season home games and have won 23 of the last 28 overall. YSU has won 64 games at Beeghly Center since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 64-21 mark during that time. Youngstown State is 28-5 at Beeghly Center since the start of the 2022-23 season. The Penguins are 22-3 in their last 25 regular-season home games.