The Cleveland State men's basketball team could not keep up with Youngstown State's high-powered offense as the Penguins handed the Vikings its first loss of the Horizon League season, 73-67, on New Year's Eve at the Wolstein Center.
"Youngstown State outplayed us today and they deserve to win," said CSU head coach Gary Waters. "What we didn't do is play Cleveland State basketball. We made it an offensive game without all of our offensive weapons. If you make it a defensive game, you have a chance to win."
YSU (7-6, 2-1 Horizon League) shot 58.1 percent from the field, including 65 percent in the second half and had three players in double-figures. They were junior forward Damian Eargle (20 points), DuShawn Brooks (17) and Ashen Ward (15).
CSU (12-3, 2-1 HL) were led by senior guard Jeremy Montgomery with 21 points, 15 of them coming in the first half. D'Aundray Brown was the only other Viking in double-figures with 20.
Montgomery had the hot hand going 7-for-10 from the field, including 6-for-8 from downtown, but only took two shot attempts in the second half.
The loss puts the Vikings in a cluster of teams with only one loss in the league.
"It's a crushing loss because its at home," said Waters. "You have to take advantage at home and we did not do that today. We won two league games on the road but losing today gives the advantage right back to everyone."
The Vikings played most of the second half without two of its starters - Aaron Pogue and Trey Harmon.
Pogue reaggravated his thigh injury and only played five minutes in the second half. And Harmon left the game with 15:27 left after suffering a concussion while chasing down a loose ball.
"They caught us at the right moment," said Waters. "Half of our guys are injured. We have to get back to full strength."
At the time of Harmon's injury, CSU was trailing, 38-36, but without its second leading scorer and best defender out on the floor, YSU immediately took advantage, scoring on six straight possessions to take a 52-44 lead on Josh Chojnacki's jumper.
CSU would close to within 57-56 on Tim Kamczyc's jumper with 5:18 left.
Two minutes later, Ward sank a three-pointer and then a jumper to give the Penguins some breathing room, 66-59, with just under two minutes left.
Ward, a Cleveland native, also added four free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.
"We came out very flat," said Brown. "We didn't have enough energy out there. When you try to fight back all game, the outcome can go either way."
YSU took an early 19-7 lead. CSU used a 13-1 run to tie the game at 20-20. The Vikings took a slight 31-29 lead at intermission as Montgomery drained three consecutive three-pointers just before the half.
The Vikings will try to right the ship Thursday as they host Illinois-Chicago.
(Videos courtesy of Cleveland State athletics)
0 comments:
Post a Comment