| Penguins Grab First Victory, 77-61 |
| Saturday, November 29 2003 |
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| Youngstown -- The Youngstown State men's basketball team capitalized on 31 St. Francis turnovers and trailed for just 1:40 the entire game as they picked up their first victory of the season 77-61 Saturday afternoon at the Beeghly Center. With the win, the Penguins (1-2) extend their November home winning streak to 10 games. St. Francis falls to 0-3 with the loss. YSU's Adam Baumann led all scorers with 16 points and had a team-high six rebounds while Khari McQeen finished with 12 points. Twelve different Penguins scored in the contest. Rodney Gibson finished with 13 points to lead the Red Flash while Erick Wills chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds. Jason Osborne finished with 10 points before fouling out with 8:27 remaining in the second half. The Penguins held Darshan Luckey, who scored 29 points against YSU last season, to three points. The Red Flash scored the opening bucket of the game off the jump on a jumper from Osborne, but Brian Radakovich tied the game at at two at the 18:20 mark. The Penguins took the lead with 17:43 remaining on a Jonathan Mends layup and never looked back. St. Francis got within one twice early in the period, but YSU opened up a 10 point lead on a 9-1 run at the 7:57 mark. The Red Flash closed the gap to six points at 26-20 with 2:29 remaining in the opening half on a free throw from Wills, but YSU scored nine unanswered points to take a 35-20 lead with 28 seconds left. Wills sank a three at the buzzer to cut the lead to 35-23 at halftime. The Penguins opened up the second half on a 17-5 to take a 52-28 lead on a Doug Underwood three. YSU upped its lead to 26 on a jumper by McQeen at the 7:00 mark, but the Red Flash scored the next eight points to get within 18 at 67-49. The Red Flash outshot the Penguins 42.6 percent to 42.2 percent and held the rebounding advantage at 42-32. YSU fired 17 more shots than SFU. The Penguins will continue their season on Monday when they visit Boston University. |
| YSU Plays Home Opener; Red Flash Visit Beeghly |
| Saturday, November 29 2003 |
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| The Youngstown State men’s basketball team will be trying for its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon it their home opener against St. Francis (Pa.). Tipoff at the Beeghly Center is set for 2 p.m. Both teams will be looking for their first victories of the season after each has lost two road games to open the season. The Penguins (0-2) are coming off a 78-74 loss at Toledo. YSU trailed 45-31 at halftime before tying the game at 65 with five minutes remaining. But the Rockets made a run and held on for the four-point victory over the Penguins. St. Francis (Pa.) has lost on the road this season at Pittsburgh (69-90) and at Penn State (58-67). The Red Flash (0-2) jumped out to an 11-0 lead at Penn State on Wednesday before the Nittany Lions rallied for the victory. This is the 31st meeting between the two schools since the series began back in 1932. The Red Flash own a 19-11 advantage in the all-time series, including a 70-56 win in Loretto, Pa., last season. YSU enters the game on a nine-game November home winning streak dating back to 1996. The last team to beat the Penguins in the Beeghly Center in November was the Red Flash (72-56) on Nov. 30, 1996. Following Saturday afternoon’s game, the Penguins play two more games in the next five days. YSU plays at Boston U on Monday night before returning home to play host to Slippery Rock on Dec. 3. Scouting St. Francis (Pa.) St. Francis (Pa.) enters the game against the Penguins after losing at Pittsburgh and Penn State to open the season. On Wednesday, the Red Flash lost to Penn State 67-58. In that game, Darshan Luckey scored a team-high 15 points leading three players in double figures. Luckey is leading the team averaging 19 points through two games. He scored 23 points at Pittsburgh in the opener. He was the NEC Freshman of the Year last season. The Red Flash is coached by Bobby Jones (Western Kentucky, 1984), who in his fifth year owns a 39-73 record. Penguins vs. St. Francis Series Info The teams have split the last four meetings, but St. Francis (Pa.) owns a 19-11 all-time series advantage. The is the Red Flash’s first visit to Youngstown since Dec. 22, 1999. At home, YSU is 7-7 against St. Francis. Last Meeting: St. Francis 70, YSU 56 St. Francis’ Darshan Luckey scored 29 points in a 70-56 victory over the Penguins on Dec. 4, 2002 in Loretto. YSU’s Doug Underwood had a team-high 17 points, but YSU missed 14 free throws and turned the ball over 25 times in the defeat. St. Francis set a school-record by going a perfect 21-of-21 from the free-throw line. YSU was within four points with 9:15 remaining. |
| YSU Has Strong Second-Half Performance in Loss to UT |
| Thursday, November 27 2003 |
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| Toledo, Ohio -- The Youngstown State men's basketball team clawed back from a 14-point halftime deficit to tie Toledo late in the game, but could not get over the hump in a 78-74 loss to the Rockets at Savage Hall on Saturday night. YSU (0-2) trailed 45-31 at the break but tied the contest at 65 with 5:32 remaining on a 3-pointer by Jonathan Mends. Toledo (2-0) came back with nine straight points on a three-point play by Keith Triplett, two put back dunks by Allen Pinson and a Rashay Russell bucket to grab the lead back for good. Trailing 74-66, the Penguins pulled within six on two Adam Baumann free throws and a Mends free throw. But Triplett made four foul shots down the stretch to hold on for UT. YSU closed with four in the final seconds on a 3-pointer by Andy Jahnke. In the second half, Youngstown State shot 57.7 percent from the field while the Rockets were held to 33.3 percent shooting outscoring UT 43-33. In the game, YSU shot 49 percent (25-of-51) while Toledo was just 40 percent (24-60). The Penguins outrebounded the Rockets 37-36. Head Coach John Robic said the effort in the second half was solid, but the final part of the first half put his team in a tough position. "I am not pleased with the outcome, but there are some good things we can take away from our performance,": Robic said. "But I'm not a big believer in morale victories. Tonight, I think we played a good 25-30 of 40 minutes and I give credit to our players for getting it back to even." Baumann finished with a team-high 18 points and also grabbed nine rebounds. Fourteen of Baumann's 18 points came in the second half. Brian Radakovich had 13 points and 10 rebounds while TeJay Anderson had 11 and Jonathan Mends added a career-high 10. For Toledo, Triplett scored a game-high 21 points to lead four players in double figures. "We found out we are a bit of an experienced team when it comes to time and score," Robic said. "One thing we need to do is get the ball inside. They could not stop Adam in the second half, but we didn't get the ball to him enough." YSU started the game quickly grabbing a 10-2 lead. Radakovich and Jahnke made threes and Anderson had two buckets to lead the outburst at the outset, but the Rockets came right back scoring the next eight to tie the contest. The Penguins play their first home game of the 2003-04 season on Saturday afternoon against St. Francis (Pa.). Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at the Beeghly Center. |
| YSU Travels to Toledo; Looks For First Victory |
| Wednesday, November 26 2003 |
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| The Youngstown State men’s basketball team will be trying for its first win of the 2003-04 season on Wednesday night at Toledo. Tipoff at Savage Hall in Toledo, Ohio, is set for 7 p.m. The Penguins (0-1) are coming off an 89-80 loss at Niagara. YSU led in the first half and kept things close throughout the contest but could not overcome a 45 free-throw effort by the Purple Eagles. Sophomore Andy Jahnke made the most of his second career start scoring a career-high 15 points while TeJay Anderson and Bill Mallernee each scored 14 points. Now, YSU travels to Toledo to face the Rockets (1-0) in search of its first win of the year. UT defeated IPFW 71-53 on Nov. 21 to open the season. The contest is the home opener for the Rockets. Toledo has won 10 straight home openers dating back to 1992-93 at Savage Hall. Last season, the Penguins picked up their first-ever win over the Rockets earning a 69-61 win. In four previous meetings at Toledo, the Penguins have not won. YSU’s last visit was on Dec. 8, 2001. Toledo earned a 79-65 win over Youngstown State that afternoon. UT leads the all-time series 7-1. The contest at Toledo is the first of a busy stretch for YSU. Following Wednesday’s game, the Penguins play three games in five days beginning with their home opener against St. Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 29. Two days later YSU plays at Boston U on Dec. 1 before returning home to face Slippery Rock on Dec. 3. After that stretch, the Penguins play just two games in 15 days. Scouting Toledo Toledo is off to a 1-0 start after winning at IPFW 71-53 on Nov. 21. In that game, the Rockets were led by Keith Triplett who scored 17 points. Also, Sammy Villegas scored 16 points while A.J. Shellabarger added 10. The Rockets, who finished 14-15 last year, returned four starters and eight letterwinners from that team. Villegas was the 2002-03 MAC Freshman of the Year while Triplett was a MAC Honorable-Mention selection. The Rockets are coached by Stan Joplin (Toledo, 1979), who in his eighth year as coach owns a 117-88 record. Penguins vs. Toledo Series Info Toledo has won seven of the eight all-time meetings between the two programs. YSU’s lone win came last season, a 69-61 victory at the Beeghly Center. The Rockets are 4-0 against YSU in Toledo. Last Meeting: YSU 69, Toledo 61 Marlon Williamson scored 23 points as four Penguins finished in double figures in a 69-61 win over Toledo on Nov. 30, 2002. Doug Underwood scored 14 points while TeJay Anderson and Adam Baumann added 10 each. The Penguins built a 30-22 halftime lead, but Toledo came back to lead by four in the second half. YSU took the lead for good at 52-50 on a Williamson trey. YSU Against The MAC The Penguins have three straight games against teams from the Mid-American Conference. All three victories have come at home. YSU beat Kent State on Dec. 15, 2001, defeated Toledo on Nov. 30, 2002 and beat Buffalo 63-48 on Dec. 7, 2002. The last time YSU won on the road against a MAC school (who was in the MAC at that current time) was at Ball State on Dec. 20, 1983 (64-63). |
| Penguins Drop Opener to Niagara, 89-80 |
| Sunday, November 23 2003 |
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| Niagara University, N.Y. -- The Youngstown State men's basketball team showed an up-tempo style, but came up short losing 89-80 at Niagara in the season opener on Saturday night at the Gallagher Center. The Penguins (0-1) shot better (51.7 percent) from the field than the Purple Eagles (44.1 percent), but the difference in the game was at the free-throw line. NU shot 45 foul shots taking advantage of its time at the line making 32. Conversely, YSU was 15-of-23 from the line for the contest. Niagara gained the edge in the second half behind Alvin Cruz. Cruz, held scoreless in the first half, went off for 14 second-half points that proved to be the difference in the game. Leading YSU was Andy Jahnke who scored a career-best 15 points while Bill Mallernee and TeJay Anderson scored 14 each. Niagara (1-0) had five players score in double figures led by Tremmell Darden who finished with a game-high 20 points. The Penguins trailed 48-47 just over four minutes into the second half, but after a 10-1 Niagara spurt, the lead bulged to 58-48 at the 13:35 mark. Youngstown State didn't back down pulling within 64-59 on two Anderson free throws but again the Purple Eagles went on a run bulding a 74-61 lead. After that, the closest YSU could get was 78-72 on a 3-pointer by Jahnke but four straight NU free throws built its lead back up to 10. In the first half, the Penguins battled through foul trouble to stay in the game. YSU was whistled for 17 personal fouls in the first stanza and the Purple Eagles took advantage converting 15-of-24 free throws. The Penguins went to the line just five times making only one. Youngstown State was strong from the field shooting 53.6 percent while making 15-of-28 shots. Niagara struggled knocking down 32.4 percent, including just 1-of-14 3-point shots. NU was tough on the boards owning a 26-18 advantage, while grabbing 16 offensive carooms. However, YSU committed 15 turnovers to 10 for Niagara. With 8:16 remaining John Barber's basket gave the Penguins a 23-18 lead, but the Purple Eagles came back scoring eight straight points to take a 26-23 lead at the 4:50 mark. At the halftime buzzer, J.R. Duffey's 14-footer put Niagara ahead 38-34 at the break. The Penguins play their second consecutive game on the road to open the season at Toledo on Wednesday night. |
| YSU Heads to Niagara; Tips Off 74th Season |
| Thursday, November 20 2003 |
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| The Youngstown State men’s basketball team opens their 74th season of play on Saturday night when the Penguins travel to Niagara. The contest at the Gallagher Center at 7:05 p.m. is the opener for both teams. YSU, which finished the 2002-03 season 9-20, suffered a 66-58 loss at home to the Purple Eagles last season and trails in the overall series 6-5. Niagara finished the 2002-03 campaign with a 17-12 mark and returns all five starters. The Penguins return plenty of experience as well. Of the 11 players who were on the squad a year ago, 10 are back this season. However, that number is now nine with senior forward Jamel Porter being lost for the season with a back injury. The nine players have a combined 484 games played in their careers. Leading the way for the Penguins are the top three scorers from a year ago, senior center Adam Baumann (11.6), senior forward TeJay Anderson (8.7) and junior Doug Underwood (14.7). Baumann also averaged a team-best 7.7 rebounds. YSU has lost its last two season openers, losing both contests on the road. Youngstown State last won a road opener in 2000-01 beating St. Francis (Pa.). Also, the Penguins have not won a regular-season road game since Feb. 17, 2001. Youngstown State plays its second consecutive road game of the season on Wednesday night in a pre-Thanksgiving tilt at Toledo. YSU has never won at Toledo, but beat the Rockets 69-61 last year in Youngstown. Scouting Niagara Niagara returns all five starters from last seasons 17-12 team. The Purple Eagles are picked second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason rankings and last year lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Leading the way is preseason first-team All-MAAC selection forward Juan Mendez. Mendez averaged 18.4 points and nine rebounds per game a year ago. The Purple Eagles are coached by Joe Mihalich, who in his sixth year as coach owns an 84-63 record. Penguins vs. Niagara Series Info Niagara has won the past two meetings in the series to grab a 6-5 edge. Last season, the Purple Eagles won 66-58 at the Beeghly Center. The Penguins have won the last two games played at Niagara, including a 63-60 victory on Dec. 20, 1997. Last Meeting: Niagara 66, YSU 58 The Purple Eagles closed out the game on a 17-8 run in a come-from-behind 66-58 victory over the Penguins on Dec. 28, 2002. Juan Mendez led Niagara scoring 21 points and grabbing 15 rebounds while Doug Underwood had a YSU high 13 points. YSU led 50-49 with just under six minutes remaining before David Brooks’ three-point play put the Purple Eagles in front to stay with 5:38 remaining. |
| Robic Radio Show Set For Tuesday Night's |
| Tuesday, November 11 2003 |
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| Youngstown -- The Penguin Playbook Men's Basketball Radio Show with YSU Coach John Robic begins on Tuesday, Nov. 18 and will air 13 times throughout the regular season on 1390 AM WNIO with host and Penguin play-by-play announcer Robb Schmidt. The show will originate from the Downtown Youngstown Buffalo Wild Wings location. The show airs at 7 p.m. on the following dates: Nov. 24, Dec. 2, Dec. 8, Dec. 16, Dec. 23, Jan. 13, Jan. 19, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24. |
| Penguins Open 2003 with Win |
| Monday, November 10 2003 |
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| Youngstown -- Senior Bill Mallernee and junior Brian Radakovich each scored 16 points as the Youngstown State men's basketball team defeated the 320 All Stars 96-83 on Monday night at the Beeghly Center in an exhibition contest. Overall, six Penguins scored in double figures as senior Adam Baumann scored 12, senior TeJay Anderson and junior Doug Underwood each had 11 and freshman Quin Humphrey added 10. The win was YSU's seventh straight in an exhibition game. YSU was strong on the boards outrebounding the All Stars 54-33. Baumann and Mallernee each finished with nine rebounds. Youngstown State, which opens the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Niagara, trailed 52-46 at halftime before outscoring the 320 All Stars 50-31 in the second stanza. YSU shot 44.7 percent in the second half while holding 320 to just 27.3 percent shooting. The All Stars shot 48.6 percent in the first half. For the contest, YSU shot 47.4 percent (37-of-78) while the 320 All Stars shot 38.6 percent (27-70). The Penguins made 10 3-pointers, including three by Radakovich. John Morton was the high player for 320 scoring 19 points off the bench. Ten Penguins played at least 12 minutes in the contest with Underwood and Jonathan Mends each logging a high of 24 minutes. Mends finished with a team-high seven assists while Underwood had five and freshman Mike Woodard added four in a starting role. In the second half, YSU trailed 70-67 with 9:31 left before going on a 18-3 to grab control of the contest at 88-73 with 3:14 remaining. |
| Penguins Play First Exhibition Against 320 All Stars Tonight |
| Monday, November 10 2003 |
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| The Youngstown State men’s basketball team plays host to the 320 All Stars in an exhibition game at the Beeghly Center on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free. The Penguins, who finished 9-20 last year, have an experienced squad that has four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and five talented freshmen. Back this year are seniors TeJay Anderson, Adam Baumann, Bill Mallernee and Jamel Porter; juniors Doug Underwood, Brian Radakovich and Khari McQueen; sophomores Derrick Harris, Andy Jahnke and Jonathan Mends along with freshmen Quin Humphrey, Mike Woodard, Craig Anderson, John Barber and Allen Deep. Entering the contest, YSU has had success in exhibition games winning six straight and posting an all-time mark of 16-7. The 320 All Stars have played Vermont (L, 82-84 OT), Pittsburgh (L, 85-101), Seton Hall (L, 74-97) and Xavier (L, 72-114) and have games remaining against St. Bonaventure, LaSalle, Iona and Long Island. YSU opens the 2003-04 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 22, when it plays at Niagara. The Purple Eagles are picked to finish second in the preseason Metro Atlantic Conference rankings and beat YSU 66-58 last season. Robic In Fifth Season As Head Coach John Robic is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Penguins. Robic owns a 45-70 record in his four years with the program. Of YSU’s 12 all-time head coaches, Robic is one of five to coach a fifth season at the school. He is also just one of four coaches with 45-or-more victories at Youngstown State. For the second consecutive year, he has two new assistant coaches. Joining Robic and second-year assistant Dolph Carroll are assistant coaches Bill Pope and Winston Smith. Preseason News and Notes The Penguins welcome back four starters from last season and return 10 of 11 letterwinners. • YSU plays three of its first four games on the road and five of its first seven contests away from the Beeghly Center. • Combined, YSU’s four seniors have played in a total of 183 games and the 11 players who return from last year’s squad have played in 509 games. • Brian Radakovich and Doug Underwood have played in every Horizon League game the past two seasons. • Underwood enters the season with 716 career points. • Senior Adam Baumann had six double-doubles last year. • YSU was 9-1 last season when having a better field-goal percentage than its opponent. • The Penguins have made a 3-pointer in a school-record 141 straight games and has made a 3-pointer in every game since John Robic took over prior to the 1999-2000 season. • In contests decided by five points or less under Coach John Robic, YSU is 19-14. • YSU has won nine consecutive home games in the month of November. • Youngstown State was picked eighth in the Horizon League preseason poll out of nine teams in the league. |