YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State men’s basketball team faced a tough defeat on Sunday against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. The Penguins started strong in the first half, hitting nine three-pointers to take a four-point lead at halftime. However, they couldn’t maintain their momentum in the second half, allowing Oakland to come back and secure an 88-81 victory, marking the Penguins’ first Horizon League defeat of the season.
Head coach Jerrod Calhoun expressed his disappointment with his team’s performance, particularly in the second half. He attributed the loss to Oakland’s timely shots and exceptional shooting percentages, highlighting the Penguins’ defensive struggles. Calhoun also expressed frustration with the team’s 10-day break between games, acknowledging that the long layoff may have impacted their performance.
Despite a strong start, with multiple players contributing to the early lead, the Penguins couldn’t sustain their offensive rhythm in the second half, only hitting three more three-pointers. Defensively, they struggled to contain Oakland’s scorers, allowing the Golden Grizzlies to take control of the game and secure the win.
Two players from Oakland, Chris Conway and Jack Gohlke, stood out in the first half, contributing significantly to their team’s effort. However, it was Blake Lampman who took over in the second half, scoring 20 of his game-high 26 points to lead the Golden Grizzlies to victory.
The Penguins had their share of strong individual performances, with Ziggy Reid, Brett Thompson, EJ Farmer, and DJ Burns all scoring in double figures. Despite their offensive output, the team struggled to keep up with Oakland’s momentum and ultimately fell short in their efforts to secure a victory.
Looking ahead, the Penguins will face a challenging matchup against Northern Kentucky, a team that has historically posed difficulties for them. Calhoun emphasized the need to regroup and prepare for their upcoming game, recognizing the importance of getting back on track after their defeat against Oakland.
In summary, Youngstown State’s men’s basketball team faced a tough loss against Oakland, struggling to maintain their early lead and ultimately falling short in the second half. The team will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming matchup against Northern Kentucky.