Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team (7-5, 2-1 Horizon League) returns to the friendly confines of Zidian Family Arena to play their final non-league game of 2025 when they host USC Upstate, Saturday, Dec. 20. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m., and the game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
The Penguins move back into Horizon League action after Christmas when they host Detroit Mercy, Monday, Dec. 29. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Last Time Out
Senior Cris Carroll scored a career-high 31 points, but Youngstown State suffered a hard-fought 80-77 overtime setback to league foe Robert Morris on Dec. 17. Vlad Salaridze came off the bench to score a season-best 15 points while Bryson Dawkins added 13 points. The Penguins shot 58.1 percent from the field and made 10 3-pointers.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 8-5 overall and mark its seventh straight home victory dating back to last season.
• Give YSU a 5-0 home record this season.
• Be Youngstown State's third straight win in the series against USC Upstate.
• Mark Youngstown State's first win over the Spartans at Zidian Family Arena.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's 29th career win and second victory over USC Upstate.

Scouting USC Upstate
USC Upstate enters the game with an overall record of 8-6 and has won its last two contests. The Spartans are coming off a 93-68 win over Southern Wesleyan on Dec. 17. Leading Upstate is Mason Bendinger with 16.1 points per game and Karmani Gregory is averaging 14.1 points per contest. The Spartans are averaging 79.6 points per game and allowing 70.3 points per contest.

Series vs. USC Upstate
This is the third meeting between Youngstown State and USC Upstate in a series dating back to 2019.  Youngstown State owns a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series.  Last season, the Penguins defeated the Spartans, 72-64, in Spartanburg, S.C.  In the first meeting back in 2019, Youngstown State came away with a 66-61 victory in Spartanburg.  This is the first time YSU has played USC Upstate in Youngstown.

Carroll Goes Off for Career High
Senior Cris Carroll turned in the best offensive performance of his YSU tenure with a career-high 31 points against Robert Morris. Carroll connected on 10-for-12 from the field, including a career-best six 3-pointers. His 10 made field-goals were also a career high.

Guins Top Scorers Efficient
Youngstown State's top four scorers are putting points up at quite an efficient pace. Cris Carroll, Rich Rolf, Bryson Dawkins and Vlad Salaridze are all averaging at least 9.0 points per game and shooting 49 percent or better from the field

• Carroll - 16.4 ppg | 55.2 FG%
• Rolf - 10.8 ppg | 55.3 FG%
• Dawkins - 10.7 ppg | 49.1 FG%
• Salaridze - 9.0 ppg | 50.0 FG%

Vlad Brings Spark
Vlad Salaridze has been an offensive spark for the Penguins over the last five contests. During that span, Salaridze averaged 10.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and shot 55.2 percent (16-for-29) from the floor with six 3-pointers.