Youngstown, Ohio — Youngstown State's women's basketball team had three players score at least 16 points and led for more than 30 minutes in a 66-50 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday in the Horizon League opener for both teams.
Senior Jewel Watkins scored a game-high 22 points and made six 3-pointers, and freshmen Sarah Baker and Erica King both scored 16 in their first starts at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. That trio combined for 54 of Youngstown State's 66 points as the Penguins improved to 5-0 on their home floor this season.
Baker added game highs of seven rebounds and six assists from the forward position, and Watkins had four of YSU's 10 steals. She helped the Penguins be plus-seven in turnover ratio and hold a commanding 28-11 edge in points off turnovers.
Additionally, Youngstown State held Milwaukee to 34.7% shooting overall and a 3-for-21 mark from 3-point range.
Both teams had an 8-0 run in the opening quarter, and MIlwaukee's largest lead came at 11-4 with 4:58 remaining on a 3-pointer by its leading scorer, Kacee Baumhower. Baumhower had five points at after that triple, and Milwaukee was 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Panthers missed their final 15 attempts from long distance, and YSU held Baumhower to four points over the final 35 minutes.
The Penguins answered with their 8-0 run that featured 3s by Watkins and King to take a 12-11 lead, and YSU did not trail after taking a 16-15 advantage on a Faith Burch basket in the final minute of the opening quarter.
Youngstown State's largest lead in the first half came when Baker made two free throws at the 2:14 to get to eight points individually, and those charity tosses made the score 31-24. The margin was 33-28 at halftime.
YSU stretched its lead to double digits for the first time when Watkins and King hit 3s on consecutive possessions, and King's triple with 7:00 on the clock made the score 43-33. The margin reached 13 twice, the second time coming at 50-37 with 2:22 left, but Milwaukee scored the final six points of the quarter to get back within seven.
Youngstown State didn't score in the third after the 2:22 mark, and its first field goal of the fourth came on a Watkins 3-pointer with 7:52 remaining. Even with that dry spell, YSU remained ahead by seven because of its defense. The Penguins ended up outscoring Milwaukee 16-7 in the final quarter, and Watkins finished with three 3s in the period.
Youngstown State will continue Horizon League play on Saturday with a road contest at Northern Kentucky. Tipoff against the Norse at Truist Arena is set for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and 1390 WNIO.
