Youngstown State Wins Thriller
By Steve Porter
SMU came into this game after running off 3 straight victories to become champions of the Tip-Off in Paradise tournament. The Mustangs’ perimeter players had carried their team offensively.
SMU took a small lead early in the game, but then the Penguins defense tightened allowing Youngstown State to build a 34-24 halftime lead. The Mustangs hit just 28% of their shots in the first half. The Penguins out-rebounded SMU 24-19. SG Josh Jones led Youngstown State’s scoring at the half with 11 points.
But the Mustangs began hitting their shots in the 2ns half and pulled ahead 44-43 with 13-1/2 minutes left. From there on the lead shifted back and forth. With the game tied 71-71, Jamal Grady rebounded a missed shot and put the ball back up and into the hoop to give the Penguins a 2 point lead with 39 seconds to play. On the ensuing possession, Steven Puzey was called for a foul but C Cedric Rawlings was only able to make 1 of 2 free throws. SMU fouled on the inbounds play and Ryan Surpin dropped in both free throws putting the Penguins ahead by 3 with 26 seconds to play. The Mustangs missed a 3 point shot and fouled after the Penguins pulled down the rebound. Steven Puzey sank both shots. SMU hit a long 3 before the buzzer but Youngstown State came away with their first victory of the season by a score of 77-75.
SG Josh Jones led all scorers with 22 points while PG Ryan Surpin hit for 15 and C Jamal Grady scored 10 and pulled down 7 boards. SMU’s C Cedric Rawlings scored 15 and had 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. But the Mustangs’ SG Jeremiah Dix who was averaging 19 ppg coming into the game was held to just 6 points.
Coach K. D. Durst said he was happy to see his guards play so well both offensively and defensively. He added, “Our guys were tested. But they hustled and pulled together to hold off a talented SMU team. We just gritted it out and our guys weren’t to be denied tonight.”