Spartanburg, S.C. – The Youngstown State men's basketball team extended its winning streak to six games after knocking off USC-Upstate, 72-64, on Saturday afternoon at the G.B. Hodge Center.

Nico Galette scored 15 of his team-high 20 points to lead the Penguins, who improve to 8-5 overall. EJ Farmer also reached double figures with 11 points. Redshirt sophomore David Wilkerson added a career-high seven points

Youngstown State built a 15-point lead in the second half and staved off a late Spartan surge to hang on for the victory.

The Penguins used a 8-0 run early in the second half to expand their lead from 32-28 to 40-28 with 14:40 to go. Ty Harper began the run with a pair of free throws and 3-pointers by Galette and another by Harper gave the Penguins the 12-point advantage.

The Spartans got back within 10, 44-39, but Cris Carroll hit s 3-pointer and a jumper to boost the Penguins lead to 15, 49-34, at the 11:33 mark.

USC-Upstate's full court pressure allowed it to claw its way back into the game. Over the next nine minutes, the Spartans outscored the Penguins, 29-14, to trim the deficit to three points, 63-60, with 2:07 left in the game.

A three-point play by Farmer extended the lead back to six points, and the Penguins made six of their last eight free throws to seal the victory.

Youngstown State returns to Horizon League play when it hosts Detroit Mercy, Sunday, Dec. 29. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.