Youngstown, Ohio — Youngstown State's women's basketball team allowed the fewest points in a game in program history and finished 2025 with a 97-20 victory over Division II Salem University on Wednesday inside Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.
The Penguins had to wait an extra 90 minutes for the New Year's Eve matinee as the Tigers ran into travel issues on their trip from West Virginia Wednesday morning, but they were quick to seize control of the contest. Youngstown State led 16-0 just over five minutes into the game, and the Penguins led by at least 20 for the final 31:25.
YSU finished its nonconference schedule with a 10-4 overall mark, and the Penguins will resume Horizon League play on Monday as they continue a four-game homestand.
The Penguins built a 59-9 advantage at halftime, and they outscored the Tigers 38-11 in the second half.
While the offense certainly had a good performance to the tune of 59.1% shooting and all 11 Penguins scoring at least four points, it was the defense that had a record-breaking day.
The 20 points allowed broke the previous record low of 25 scored by Malone on Dec. 29, 1990. YSU had allowed fewer than 30 points just four times previously. Salem's nine points in the first half were the second-fewest allowed by the Penguins, behind Detroit Mercy's eight on Jan. 13, 2007. The 11 points in the second half tied for the fifth-fewest allowed.
Youngstown State also limited Salem to 11.9% shooting from the field as it got work in with its man-to-man and zone defenses. The Tigers went 1-for-20 from 3-point range.
Offensively, Hayden Barrier scored a career-high 18 points to lead three Penguins scoring in double figures. The sophomore guard made a game-high four 3-pointers in nine attempts and finished 7-for-13 from the field. She added five steals, helping YSU to scoring edges of 29-6 off turnovers and 52-0 in bench points. Paulina Hernandez scored 15 points off the bench and blocked three shots, and Erica King headlined the starters with 16 points. Sophia Gregory finished with eight points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 21 minutes. Bella Samz matched Gregory with six assists, and Dacia Lewandowski was the Penguins' top rebounder with seven.
Youngstown State led 27-4 at the end of the first quarter as Casey Santoro made two 3-pointers while Barrier and Danielle Cameron each made one. YSU then scored the final 17 points of the second quarter and the first 10 of the third to stretch its lead to 69-9 at the 2:55 mark. The Penguins led 76-13 heading into the fourth, and Barrier had nine of their 21 points in the final quarter as YSU outscored the Tigers 21-7.
Taja Brown was Salem's top scorer with 11 points.
Youngstown State's next game will be against Oakland on Monday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on 570 WKBN and ESPN+. Fans attending the game will receive a $5 Dunkin' gift card.
