The Town Crier

[PointGuard]

A Swan Leads Penguins
By Steve Porter

Jamal Grady started in last night’s game against the UIC Flames. Grady said, “After our last game I was hurrying out of the shower and just slipped. Dumb thing to do. I hit my head but tests proved there was no concussion. So even though Coach Durst held me out of practice, I was cleared to play and avoided missing a game. The guys have been ripping me, saying there was nothing inside my head to concuss. Gotta slow down more in the showers now, though. I’m really glad to be able to play tonight, because Illinois-Chicago gave us everything we could handle when we played them in their gym earlier this season. “ (That game was a thriller with the Penguins edging the Flames 76-65.}

But the Penguins did introduce a new starter. Sophomore SG William Swan started his first game for Youngstown State. Swan was ecstatic saying, “I spent most of my freshman year pulling splinters out of my butt from riding the bench so much. So this season has been a lot more fun. And finally getting to start is a real rush. Not only parents are here, but a bunch of my relatives and friends have come to the game. I hope I can make them proud, but I need to keep my emotions in check and play within my capabilities to avoid making mistakes.”

Swan hit a 3 early in the game, but UIC’s SF Dan Nielsen nailed his first 3 shots beyond the arc to spearhead the Flames to a 15-7 lead after just 5 minutes of play. With 5:45 remaining in the first half, reserve Kevin Anderson sank two free throws to give the Penguins their first lead of the game at 27-25. YSU poured it on the remainder of the half and finished the first stanza on top 48-39. PG Linehan Murphy scored 12 and SG William Swan had 8 to lead the Penguins offensively.

Swan and C Jamal Grady scored the first 7 points of the 2nd half to put YSU ahead 56-39 with 19 minutes to play. The Penguins maintained a healthy lead throughout the 2nd half, maximizing at 21 points. UIC cut into that lead in the final stages of the game, but Youngstown State still won by a solid margin, 96-87. While both teams hit over 50% of their FG attempts, YSU dominated the boards 36-23 and held a 14-10 turnover advantage.

Leading the scoring for the Penguins were C Jamal Grady with 21, SG William Swan with 19, PG Linehan Murphy with 17, and PF Aaron Tice with 10. Tice also had 11 rebounds to record a double-double. For UIC, SF DeWy Nielsen scored 21 and hit 6 of 8 three-point shots.

Coach KD Durst was pleased with how the team-play exhibited by his team. Of first-time starter William Swan, Coach Durst said, “Not only did he score 19 points but he dished out 9 assists, knocked down 3 of his 4 three-point shots, and had 3 blocks. Of course with all the tickets he was corralling for his family and friends, he had to have had the biggest one-man cheering squad of anyone on our team all season.”

The win assured the Penguins (17-8, 12-4) of finishing the season next week with at least a tie for 1st place in league play.

[PointGuard]

Bracket-Buster Turns Into Defense-Buster
By Steve Porter

On Bracket Buster Sunday, Youngstown State (17-8) hosted the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (15-10), winners of 9 of their last 10 games.

The Penguins broke out to a 13-2 lead in the first 3 minutes, but again C Jamal Grady was charged with 2 quick fouls. While UL-Lafayette then began scoring, YSU’s offense remained in overdrive throughout the first half and they came away with a 54-43 halftime lead by hitting 60% of their FG attempts. PF Aaron Tice led the Penguins’ scoring with 11 points.

The Ragin’ Cajuns came out of the locker room as if on a mission. They quickly cut the Penguins lead and with 13 minutes left in the game UL-Lafayette took a 64-62 lead. With the defenses for both teams non-existent, both teams seemingly scored at will. But in the late stages of the game, Youngstown State went on a run to pull ahead 93-84 with 2:24 remaining. The Penguins then gamely held on to score a 101-93 win. The Penguins hit 57% of their shots while UL-Lafayette knocked down 55% of theirs. The biggest difference in the game was that YSU held a 37-23 advantage on the boards.

Seven Youngstown State players scored in double figures: C Jamal Grady-16 (plus he pulled down 11 rebounds); SF Colin Chambliss-14 (to go along with 7 assists and 7 rebounds); PF Aaron Tice-13; SG B.J. Dennis-13; C Kevin Anderson-12; PG Linehan Murphy-11; and C/PF Kent Jones-10. For the Ragin’ Cajuns, Reggie Oliver scored 23, Marcus Worrell hit for 21, and William Hyle added 20.

[PointGuard]

Long Road Ends for Penguins
By Steve Porter

It was a season with many road games. In their final road game of the season, the Penguins took on the Cleveland State Vikings last night. Neither team was able to draw away in the first half. But Youngstown State was able to carve out a marrow 42-38 halftime lead. C Jamal Grady led the way with 13 points.

With 14 minutes left in the 2nd half, the Penguins had expanded their lead to 56-44. From that point, YSU held onto a double-digit lead and finished with an 82-70 victory on the road that sealed the Horizon League championship. The win improved the Penguins season record to 19-8 and league record to 13-4.

C Jamal Grady dropped in 21 points. Teammates SG William Swan, PG Linehan Murphy, and SF Colin Chambliss scored 15, 13, and 11 points respectively.

[PointGuard]

Long Road Ends for Penguins
By Steve Porter

It was a season with many road games. In their final road game of the season, the Penguins took on the Cleveland State Vikings last night. Neither team was able to draw away in the first half. But Youngstown State was able to carve out a marrow 42-38 halftime lead. C Jamal Grady led the way with 13 points.

With 14 minutes left in the 2nd half, the Penguins had expanded their lead to 56-44. From that point, YSU held onto a double-digit lead and finished with an 82-70 victory on the road that sealed the Horizon League championship. The win improved the Penguins season record to 19-8 and league record to 13-4.

C Jamal Grady dropped in 21 points. Teammates SG William Swan, PG Linehan Murphy, and SF Colin Chambliss scored 15, 13, and 11 points respectively.

[PointGuard]

Penguins Finish At Top Edge of Horizon
By Steve Porter

In their final regular season game, Youngstown State gradually pulled away from the visiting Wright State Raiders throughout the first half. When the buzzer sounded ending the first half, the Penguins held a commanding 51-32 lead. YSU outshot Wright State 67% to 39%. The top scorer for the Penguins was C Jamal Grady with 9 points.

The Penguins continued their dominance in the 2nd half, expanding their lead continuously. They delivered an 88-53 pounding of the Raiders. With the win, Youngstown State finished their regular season with an overall 20-8 record and atop the Horizon League with a 14-4 league record. Their RPI is now 30th best in the nation.

Leading the Penguins offensively was C Jamal Grady with 19 points. SF Colin Chambliss tossed in 15 points and pulled down 8 boards. C Kent Jones scored 12 points off the bench. PF Aaron Tice had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

[PointGuard]

Horizon League--2019-2020 Season Final Standings:

[PointGuard]

Horizon League Tournament Play Begins
By Steve Porter

Last night the bottom four teams in the Horizon League standings battled to advance in the league tournament. Valparaiso won the opportunity to take on Milwaukee tonight and Wisconsin-Green Bay moved on to be tonight’s opponent for the Youngstown State Penguins. Here's a recap of both games:

#10 Valparaiso Crusaders (7-20, 4-14) vs #7 UIC Flames (15-13, 8-10): Although UIC held a small lead in the early stages of the 1st half, Valparaiso came back to finish the half on top 36-24. The Crusaders completely dominated the Flames in the 2nd half. Valparaiso upset UIC, winning easily 75-59. SG Andrew Calloway scored 16 for Valparaiso. PG Bret Maloney led the Flames with 13 points.

#9 Northern Kentucky Norse (13-15, 7-11) vs #8 Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix (11-16, 8-10): Northern Kentucky built a 20 point lead in the first half, but at the half, led by just a 38-30 score. Wisconsin-Green Bay turned things completely around in the 2nd half, racing past the Norse to open a 16 point lead. The Phoenix then cruised to a 73-64 win. SF Marloe Dunleavy and PG Valter Morris shared scoring honors for the Phoenix with 16 points apiece. For Northern Kentucky C Troy Fingelton scored 18 points.

Between games I was able to interview Coach KD Durst.

Congratulations on finishing atop the Horizon League, Coach. At the beginning of the season would you have predicted your team would do so well?

Durst: To be honest I figured we’d be in the hunt in the Horizon League. But I was pleasantly surprised how our team coalesced. And more importantly, it was good to find out not only would our starting lineup be strong, but our bench would be the asset it has become. I can confidently insert anyone expecting that they will positively contribute. We were fortunate not to have any serious injuries but when players had to miss games, we had others who could ably fill in so we never had any weak spots in our lineup.

What’s your expectations regarding the league tournament?

Durst: I expect tough games. In past years we’ve seen teams from the bottom of the standings come up with big upsets and successfully move through the tournament. So we know we have to prepare for each and every foe we are able to play. There can be no let down. But that makes the tournament exciting and unpredictable.

You had a set starting lineup nearly the entire season but then started William Swan instead of B.J. Dennis at SG the final four games. Which of those players will be starting tomorrow night?

Durst: Those two are so evenly matched that I could start either one and get a good performance. But I think we will stick with Swan, at least for tomorrow night, with B.J. coming in to make an impact. Both play well so it’s always fun to see which one will have the biggest game each and every time we play.

I don’t want to be negative, but should you not win this tournament, do you feel your team will get into the NCAA Tournament based not only on your overall record, but on your win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Bracket Buster Sunday?

Durst: Simple answer--No! We have to win the who enchilada to get to the Big Dance. That means we have to play our asses off against each opponent we go up against.

[PointGuard]

Horizon League Tournament Quarterfinals
By Steve Porter

Eight teams took the floor for the Horizon League Tournament yesterday, all with hopes of winning the entire tournament so they can move on to the NCAA Tournament. Those hopes and further Horizon League play this season ended for the four losing teams.

#5 Detroit Titans (17-11, 9-9) vs #4 Cleveland State Vikings (13-14, 9-9): These teams split their two regular season games. There were 10 lead changes and 5 ties in the first half with the Vikings eking out a 42-40 lead at the break. Cleveland State came out on fire in the 2nd half and built a 22 point lead. Detroit struggled to get back into the game and made a significant dent in the lead, but the gap was just too large to completely erase. Cleveland State came away with an 83-76 victory by outshooting the Titans 49% to 42%. SG Joey Lloyd led the Vikings’ scoring with 18 points while the Titans were led by C William Rogers 14 points and 9 rebounds.

#6 Oakland Golden Grizzlies (13-15, 9-9) vs #3 Wright State Raiders (15-12, 10-8): Each of these teams won on their home court against the other. Oakland took control early in the game and by the half led 44-30. Wright State made a couple runs in the 2nd half. But the Golden Grizzlies never relinquished the lead and won 81-74. Oakland’s SG Jimmy Salvi and Wright State’s PG James Herrick each scored 22 points.

#10 Valparaiso Crusaders (8-20, 4-14) vs #2 Milwaukee Panthers (20-10, 12-6): Milwaukee beat Valparaiso in both of their regular season games. Milwaukee scored first and then used a devastating defense to put the Crusaders in a 38-20 hole at the half. Valparaiso got going offensively in the 2nd half and steadily chipped away at the lead. But the Panthers relied on C Jon Finger who scored 23 points and PF Albert Jolly’s 13 rebounds to score a 69-60 win over the Crusaders. Top scorer for Valparaiso was PG Jack Roy who finished with 17 points.

#8 Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix (12-16, 8-10) vs #1 Youngstown State Penguins (20-8, 14-4): During the regular season, the Penguins beat the Phoenix by 14 and then lost to them by 11. The Phoenix’ C Pete Richmond scored 40 points in the two games against the Penguins.

The first half was an all-out battle. Youngstown State maintained a small lead throughout most of the half but could never pull away even though they outshot the Phoenix 54% to 39%. At the break, the Penguins held a 40-34 advantage with reserve big men Kent Jones and Kevin Anderson both scoring 8 points.

YSU went on a 12-0 run in the first 2-1/2 minutes of the 2nd half to lead by 18. From there it was a romp in the park for the Penguins as they kept extending their lead. When the game ended the score read: Youngstown State-83, Wisconsin-Green Bay-58. YSU dominated all aspects of the game including shooting (52% to 39%), rebounding (37-28), turnover (17-11), blocks (7-4), steals (9-2), assists (18-8), points in the paint (36-22), 2nd chance points (11-4), and fast break points (12-2).

Leading the Penguins were C Jamal Grady with 15 points and 13 rebounds, C Kevin Anderson with 12 points, PF Aaron Tice with 11 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds, and SF Colin Chambliss with 11 points. For Wisconsin-Green Bay, Pete Richmond scored 18 points (8 of those on free throws).

After the game, Coach KD Durst said, “Frankly I was a little worried going into this game since the Phoenix are a good team. They gave us a tussle in the first half, but then our guys just dug deep and took over the game in the 2nd half. But now it’s time to begin focusing on Cleveland State.”

[PointGuard]

Horizon League Tournament Semifinals
By Steve Porter

#6 Oakland Golden Grizzlies (14-15, 9-9) vs #2 Milwaukee Panthers (21-10, 12-6): When playing on their home courts, goth of these teams were victorious against the other. Oakland jumped out on top and opened a 12 point lead midway through the first half, but the Panthers chipped away at the lead and by the end of the half, trailed by just a 38-37 score. The Golden Grizzlies held onto a small lead through the first portion of the 2nd half, but then Milwaukee evened things up. The lead shifted back and forth a couple times, but with 41 seconds to go the Golden Grizzlies led by a single point. Oakland had possession and tried to work the clock down but an errant pass gave the ball to Milwaukee with 13 seconds remaining. The Panthers quickly got the ball in the forecourt and after two quick passes, Ivan Walters put up an 18 foot jumper that went through the hoop to give Milwaukee a thrilling 73-72 victory. C Jon Finger dropped in 24 points for Milwaukee. PF Art Capel and SG Jimmy Salvi both scored 17 for Oakland.

#4 Cleveland State Vikings (14-14, 9-9) vs #1 Youngstown State Penguins (21-8, 14-4): Youngstown State beat the Vikings both times they played this season. Cleveland State jumped out to a small lead in last night's tournament game, but the Penguins overtook them and looked like they might pull away midway through the first half. But each time YSU looked like they might get a big lead the Vikings reeled them back in and kept the game close. The half ended with the Penguins on top 34-28. PG Linehan Murphy led YSU’s scoring with 10 points.

The refs got all four of the Penguins big men in foul trouble early in the 2nd half causing Coach Durst to ride the refs but trying to avoid getting a technical. Defenses for both teams continued to dominate and the game remained close. With 9:21 to play and the Penguins ahead 46-38 a power outage left the arena bathed in just emergency lighting for 5 minutes. When play resumed, the refs finally called a couple fouls against the Vikings. YSU converted 3 of the 4 shots to take their first double-digit lead at 49-38. The Penguins continued to clamp down defensively which prevented the Vikings from cutting into their lead. Youngstown State came away with a 61-50 win. While the Penguins hit just 40% of their FG attempts, they held Cleveland State to 35% and only 3 of 24 from 3-point distance. YSU also controlled the boards (35-26) and forced the Vikings to make 17 turnovers.

PG Linehan Murphy popped in 17 points and SG William Swan scored 12. Top scorer for Cleveland State was PF Rodney Earl who finished with 14 points. PG Levall Hart sustained a strained knee in the opening moments of the game and will miss the next game.

“This was a tough game for us,” said Coach Durst. “The Vikings prevented us from scoring much inside which is where we typically do most of our damage. Fortunately our starting guards were able to put some points on the board.”

[PointGuard]

Horizon League Championship
By Steve Porter

A large contingent of Youngstown State fans made their way to Detroit to watch their beloved Penguins take on the Milwaukee Panthers in last night’s championship game. Both teams came into the game with 22 wins thus far this season. Both had scored lopsided victories on their own floors when playing the other team this season. The Penguins had the difficult chore of stopping two dynamic scorers, C Jon Finger and SF Jason Minahan. Both players had had break out games this season and Finger had scored 47 points in the first two games the Panthers played in this tournament.

#2 Milwaukee Panthers (22-10, 12-6) vs #1 Youngstown State Penguins (22-8, 14-4): The Penguins came out tight, making 4 turnovers and fouling 4 times in the first 4 minutes of play. Milwaukee kept the Penguins playing on their heels and held onto the lead throughout the half. YSU narrowed the gap as the half ended to 32-30. The Penguins only hit 39% of their FG attempts in the half. SG B.J. Dennis and PG Tim Lostetter both had 6 points.

The Penguins battled to catch up in the 2nd half but the Panthers held them off. SF Colin Chambliss twisted his ankle and had to sit out several minutes. But with 4:37 remaining William Swan drove in for an easy layup after stealing a pass to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 56-55. Then with 2:58 to go, Linehan Murphy drove into the lane and layed it in to put the Penguins on top 57-56. YSU then forced a back court turnover and Jamal Grady muscled up a shot that dropped through to give the Penguins a 3 point lead. Milwaukee missed on their next possession. Murphy brought the ball up court, passed to Grady who fired it inside to Aaron Tice who was fouled as he tried to score. Tice made one of two shots. Milwaukee scored quickly to cut YSU’s lead to 60-58 with 1:58 remaining. On the Penguins’ next possession, Grady slid underneath and scored to up the lead to 4 at the 1:47 mark. Great defense then forced Milwaukee to attempt a long 3-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire. The shot missed and the Penguins brought the ball up court and worked the ball around to take time off the clock. Milwaukee was forced to foul with 57 seconds remaining. Linehan Murphy sunk both free throws to make it 64-58. Then Milwuakee and Youngstown State exchanged 3’s so the Penguins lead remained at 6 with 38 seconds to go. Both teams then turned the ball over and Milwaukee scored on a breakaway to cut the lead to 4 with 14 seconds on the clock. The Panthers again fouled and Murphy dropped 2 more shots through the silks. The Penguins full court press again force the Panthers to travel in the backcourt and Youngstown State won the Horizon League Championship 69-63.

C Jamal Grady scored 14 points and yanked down 8 boards. PG Tim Lostetter scored 10 points off the bench. For Milwaukee PG Corley George scored 13 points. The Penguins’ defense held Jason Minehan and Jon Finger to 9 and 8 points respectively.

“We won this one with defense and grit against an excellent Milwaukee team,” an excited Coach Durst said after the game. “We really had a tough time catching up to them but once we did we poured on the coal. Our guys just wouldn’t give up and didn’t want to be denied a trip to the Big Dance.”