Youngstown, Ohio – The Youngstown State men's basketball team trailed by as many as 16 in the second half and cut deficit down to one, but the Penguins could not complete the comeback and fell to Cleveland State, 80-72, on Saturday afternoon at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Trailing 66-52 with 5:55 to go, junior Cris Carroll scored 13 straight points to get the Penguins within one. Carroll hit back-to-back 3-pointers, had a steal and layup, connected on a third 3-pointer, and made two free throws for the 66-65 deficit at the 3:39 mark.  

After 3-pointer by Cleveland State's Tahj Staveskie, Nico Galette made two charity tosses to get back within two, but the Vikings scored the next six points to boost their lead to 75-67 with 34 seconds remaining.

Youngstown State falls to 11-7 overall and 6-2 in Horizon League play while the Vikings improve to 12-6 overall and 6-1 in league action.

Carroll led the Penguins with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor with three 3-pointers while Ty Harper had 16 points and Jason Nelson added 10 points. The Penguins connected on 13 3-pointers, including nine in the second half.

The Penguins used an 11-0 run to jumped out to an 11-2 lead to start the game. Harper converted a four-point play and Juwan Maxey followed with a corner 3-pointer. Youngstown State pushed its lead to nine following a putback and dunk by Gabe Dynes.

Nelson hit his first 3-pointer of the game for a 14-7 lead, but the Vikings answered with a 12-2 run to take a 19-16 lead at the

A three-point play by Carroll tied the game at 19-19 and sparked a 10-2 run capped by a Harper 3-pointer to put the Penguins up 26-21 with 6:57 left.

The teams traded baskets before the Vikings closed out the first half on a 14-3 run to take a 37-31 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Penguins back on the road to take on Milwaukee, Friday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.