Youngstown, Ohio — EJ Farmer scored 20 points as Youngstown State's men's basketball team dropped its 2024-25 home opener 73-62 to Western Michigan on Wednesday afternoon at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Farmer's 20 points came on eight field goals and four free throws, and Juwan Maxey made four 3-pointers while distributing seven assists in his home debut.

Western Michigan had three starters score between 16 and 18 points, and the Broncos led for more than 34 minutes. Max Burton and Brandon Muntu both scored 18 points, and Markhi Strickland scored 16.

WMU shot 42.1% overall and had 19 second-chance points offensively, and the visitors held the Penguins to 35.9% shooting overall and a 5-for-27 result from beyond the arc. YSU blocked nine shots defensively.

The Penguins were 11-for-33 from the field in the first half, and Western Michigan seized its largest lead of the afternoon when a three-point play by Strickland made the score 29-17 with 5:58 left. Youngstown State shaved that 12-point deficit in half four times before heading to the locker room, and the margin was 36-30 at halftime.

Youngstown State then scored nine of the first 10 points in the second half and took a 39-37 lead on a Farmer bucket at the 17:30 mark. That ended up being the Penguins' only lead of the second half as Western Michigan went on an 11-2 run to take a 48-41 lead less than four minutes later. YSU scored the next five points on a 3 by Maxey and a dunk by Gabe Dynes to get within two, and the Penguins tied the score at 58 and 60 on baskets by Nico Galette.

After Galette's basket at the 5:07 mark, YSU did not score until he made two free throws with 1:27 remaining. By that point, Western Michigan had taken a 68-60 lead, and the Broncos ended up closing the game on a 13-2 run.

Youngstown State's next game will be at home Bethany on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game from Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and 570 WKBN.