The Town Crier

[PointGuard]

First Half Dooms Penguins
By Steve Porter

Neither Cleveland State nor Youngstown State scored in the first 3 minutes of play last night. At that point the Penguins hit a shot but then went scoreless for another 10 minutes leaving them with a 19-2 deficit. The Penguins hit 1 of 15 shots during the first 13 minutes of play. During that period both teams turned the ball over 8 times. Things didn’t improve for the Penguins the rest of the half and they left the court with their heads hanging and trailing Cleveland State by a dismal 37-8 score.

During those atrocious 20 minutes, Youngstown State made just 3 of 24 field goal attempts, 0 of 7 from 3 point distance, and only 2 of 6 from the free throw line. They also had 11 turnovers and were outrebounded 22-13.

As one Penguins fan was overheard to decry, “THAT was the worst play I’ve ever seen by a college team for an entire half. And if the Vikings had played well, we’d be behind by 50 points instead of just, did I really say just, 29 points.”

The Penguins came out in the 2nd half and missed their first 3 shots. They then played better but never could get closer than 18 and were walloped 61-43.

While Youngstown State shot better in the 2nd half, they still finished the game hitting just 29% of their field goals, 13% of their 3’s, and 50% of their free throws. The team’s ineptitude for the evening was exemplified by starters SG Josh Jones and SF Chad Delzell who combined to score on just 2 of 22 shots. The only player to have a strong game was PF/C Jamal Grady who hit 7 of 11 shots, scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Coach K.D. Durst said, “Play by both teams was ugly and ineffective early. But we were unable to shake the infection throughout the entire first half. This is a game we just need to put out of our memories and prepare for our upcoming game against Milwaukee.”

The loss dropped the Penguins Horizon League record to 7-6 and they sank to sole possession of 4th place in the league, one game behind the three teams tied for first and one game ahead of five teams tied for fifth place.

[PointGuard]

Penguins Pass Panthers
By Steve Porter

Youngstown State trailed the Milwaukee Panthers throughout most of the first half and went to the locker room on the short end of a 46-41 score. Jamal Grady led the scoring for the Penguins with 9 points.

The lead shifted back and forth for the first 6 minutes of the 2nd half, but then after a total of 14 lead changes and 7 ties, the Penguins began to pull away and won going away 95-78. The Penguins dropped in 51% of their field goal attempts, 67% of their 3’s and 93% of their free throws, a complete turn-around from the debacle of their last game. They also out-rebounded the Panthers 38-25.

C Steven Puzey dropped in 20 points, PG Ryan Surpin didn’t miss a shot enroute to his 16 points, PF/C Jamal Grady scored 15, and SG Josh Jones added 10.

PF/C Jamal Grady was named the Horizon League Freshman Player of the Week based on his scoring 30 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in the two games played by Youngstown State this week.

[PointGuard]

Topping individual stats through Youngstown State’s first 24 games are:

PPG: C Steven Puzey, 11.3; PG Ryan Surpin, 11.3; PF/C Jamal Grady, 10.8; SG Josh Jones, 10.3

RPG: C Steven Puzey, 5.8; SF Chad Delzell, 5.0; PF/C Jamal Grady, 4.7; PF Kareem Toole, 4.4

APG: PG Ryan Surpin, 4.0; SG Josh Jones, 2.5, PG Tim Lostetter, 2.2; SG Jermaine Harrington, 1.7

[PointGuard]

First Half Again Dooms Penguins
By Steve Porter

After leading the Detroit Titans throughout much of the first half, Youngtown State’s defense totally disappeared and let the Titans roar ahead to take a 60-42 halftime lead. Detroit hit 68% of their shots. For the Penguins, C Steven Puzey scored 14 points.

The Penguins pecked away at the lead in the 2nd half, but could never get closer than 8 points and feel to the Titans 89-79. The loss dropped the Penguins into sole possession of 4th place in the Horizon League.

C Steven Puzey had a big game, scoring 28 points. SF Chad Delzell hit for 13 and PG Tim Lostetter dropped in 12 points.

[PointGuard]

Penguins Defense Again Porous
By Steve Porter

Weak first half defense again cost Youngstown State. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies knocked down 54% of their shots to post a 45-35 halftime advantage. SG Josh Jones had 8 points to lead the Penguins offensively.

The Penguins let Oakland pull out to a 24 point lead midway through the 2nd half. While Youngstown State was able to cut into the lead, there just wasn’t enough time to make a serious run. Oakland won 81-71. Oakland hit 51% of their shots in the game. The Penguins have lost 6 of their last 8 games and are now mired in a 3-way tie for 4th place in the Horizon League.

SG Josh Jones scored 19, PF/C Jamal Grady has 12, and C Steven Puzey added 10 for the Penguins. SG Josh Angner scored 21 points for Oakland.

[PointGuard]

Covering a winning team earlier this season for the newspaper was sure a lot more fun that covering the losing team that's been around the last several games. Almost makes me wish I had picked a different profession. Coach Durst has been rather surly as well and not talkative at all.

In addition, I met Claire, a woman who seemed like a good potential to replace Lynn, the girl friend I lost a couple months ago. But I then found out that Claire is allergic to dogs. There's no way I'm getting rid of my golden retriever, Max...so bye-bye Claire.

Not only that but I thought I had a big Lotto win this week. I began planning how I would spend all the money I was going to get. It turns out I was looking at my previous week's ticket which was a bust THAT week. Just wish I had used the same numbers THIS week. So my bank account remains in a condition where I have to be careful not to bounce checks.

[PointGuard]

Winter Blues
By Steve Porter

Just a month ago it seemed to be an incredible turn-around year for Youngstown State under the helm of new coach K.D. Durst. The Penguins were then 12-6, riding a 5-game win streak, and sitting atop the Horizon League standings.

What a difference a month makes. 2 wins and 6 losses during that month has made Coach Durst’s turn-around year seem to be “nice” rather than “incredible”. Yes, the Penguins have still won more games than they’ve lost (14-12). And yes, they no longer are at or near the bottom of the Horizon League (presently they are 8-8 and solidly in the middle of the pack).

But their six losses in the last 30 days have revealed glaring inadequacies. In each of the games either their offense has sputtered (in three of those losses they have averaged under 50 points) or a woeful defense has been exposed (in the other three losses their opponents have averaged almost 90 points). They’ve shown what they are: a team with some good players but no stars. No one who can carry them over the rough spots during the schedule. No one they can count upon to come up big each and every game to stabilize the team. And while Coach Durst has rightfully earned praise for developing a team with some relevance, he has not been able to fix whatever apparently ails the team. Instead the team has regularly found a way to lose rather than a way to win.

The Horizon League title is now impossible this season. With 3 games left (2 in the Horizon League), their upcoming “bracket buster” game against Wichita State is meaningless. The best they can do in their next three games is to “right the ship” and prepare for the League Tournament in hopes that they can pull off an unlikely run of victories in the Horizon Tourney which is their only chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

[PointGuard]

Penguins Shock Shockers
By Steve Porter

Last night’s “bracket buster” was really just a chance for one, rather than two, of the teams to impress the NCAA Tournament selection group. Wichita State was 15-11 this season and 9-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Unfortunately, Youngstown State’s recent swoon has left them out of contention for any at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The Penguins took an early 6-2 lead, but then a series of turnovers (7 in the first 4-1/2 minutes of play) led to a quick turn-around to put Wichita State on top. While the Youngstown Staters fought valiantly to keep in the game, they trailed 39-29 by the end of the half, primarily due to turning the ball over 16 times.

In the 2nd half Wichita State held the Penguins off, maintaining a double digit lead. But with 4 minutes to go, Youngstown State got within 7 at 62-55. Then two quick scores by the Penguins cut the lead to 62-59 with 3:19 remaining. The Shockers missed a shot and the Penguins worked the ball around, getting the ball into Steven Puzey, who stepped out and made a 12-foot turn-around jumper making it 62-61. Another miss by the Shockers gave the Penguins a chance to take the lead. A pass inside to Jamal Grady and he drove to the basket and was fouled with 2:17 on the clock. Grady made one of two and the game was tied at 62-62. Wichita State then made one of two foul shots to give them a one point lead. On the ensuing play after a time-out, Tim Lostetter cut around a pick for a shot in the key, but was fouled. He dropped in both free throws and Youngstown State took a 64-63 lead with 1:26 to play. Neither team could score on the next 3 possessions, but then with 27 seconds to play, Tim Lostetter drove on his man and pulled up to sink a 10 footer making it 66-63. The Shockers missed a 3-point shot, but tipped in the rebound to cut the lead to one. The Shockers then tried to steal rather than foul, freeing Ryan Surpin for a shot at the buzzer that fell through to give the Penguins an upset 68-65 victory.

Guards Ryan Surpin and Tim Lostetter scored 19 and 18 points, respectively while big men Steven Puzey and Jamal Grady each scored 10. SG Craig Sharp tossed in 20 for Wichita State.

During the post-game press conference, Coach Durst stated, “I was proud of how my guys hung in the game and then went for the jugular when the time was right. They hit some big shots and made key stops at the end. I thought we played well in all phases on the game tonight except for ball control. There’s no way to defend making 25 turnovers. We’d had some rough going recently and hadn’t played well. Sort of like newspaper journalists whose articles come up short and don’t reach the right conclusions. I think my guys wanted to prove our doubters wrong tonight.”

Well, OK Coach Durst! Touché! Congratulations to the Penguins on a big-time win.

[PointGuard]

Penguins and Norse Take It To The Wire
By Steve Porter

With reserve guard Lonnie Lott sidelined with a sprained toe, the Penguins were again short-handed at the guard positions as they hosted the Northern Kentucky Norse last night. In recognition of the strength of his recent play, Coach Durst started freshman Tim Lostetter at the point and moved Ryan Surpin to SG, thus benching Josh Jones who has been inconsistent lately.

After falling behind by 10 points, the Penguins reeled the Norse back in and took a lead late in the half to go to the break with a slim 48-46 advantage even though Northern Kentucky hit 58% of their shots. PG Ryan Surpin led all scorers with 12 points.

The lead was exchanged repeatedly throughout most of the second half, but the Norse took a 8 point lead with 2-1/2 minutes to play. Youngstown State cut the lead to 2 before Northern Kentucky scored from inside with 56 seconds to play putting them ahead 89-76. Tim Lostetter then hit 3 to cut the lead to 1 with 41 seconds remaining. Josh Jones blocked a shot and recovered the ball. After a time out, the Penguins designed play resulted in a miss and they fouled to stop the clock with 8 ticks remaining. The Norse made one of two shots. After gaining control of the subsequent rebound, the Penguins immediately called a time out. But with just one second remaining, they were unable to get a shot off and were defeated 81-79.

Again guards Ryan Surpin and Tim Lostetter led the team offensively with 19 and 18 points, respectively (same exact same number of points each has scored in the Penguins previous game). Surpin also grabbed 10 rebounds to record a double-double. Jamal Grady added 11 points.

The loss dropped Youngstown State into a 3-way tie for 5th place in the Horizon League.

After the game, Coach K.D. Durst expressed concerns about the end of the game, “I’m upset that the officials were late acknowledging our timeout request. Otherwise we could have had at least 2 more seconds to get off a final shot.”

[PointGuard]

Penguins Extinguish Flames
By Steve Porter

The Youngstown State Penguins took the floor last night without Coach K.D. Durst directing them. Durst, who faulted the officials after the team’s last game and then blasted them further in a subsequent radio interview, was suspended by the league for the team’s final game of the regular season.

Therefore, 1st Assistant Coach Raymond Harrington led the team against the UIC Flames. The Penguins played a controlled game in the first half. After the lead switched back and forth during the first 8 minutes, the Penguins steadily carved out a lead that was 38-28 at the half. Then in the 2nd half, the Penguins hit their shots, finishing by dropping in 53% of their field goal attempts, to keep the Flames at bay. Youngstown State came away with a resounding 80-66 road win. The victory evened their Horizon League record at 9-9 so that they finished in a tie with Cleveland State for 5th place.

SG Josh Jones stepped up to score 14 points and haul down 7 boards. He was backed up by the inside duo of Steven Puzey and Jamal Grady who both scored 13. Tim Lostetter scored 10 points. For UIC, SG Dan Rucker scored 20.

Catching up with Coach Harrington after the game, he said, “I’d much rather have Coach Durst handling the reins during games. But since he wasn’t allowed to be with us tonight, it really was fun making the decisions and working with the guys on our team. They went out and made it easy for me by winning this for Coach D to show their appreciation for how he went to bat for them after last week’s loss.”

This year’s Horizon League Tournament is one big crap-shoot. Even though the regular season title was won by Wisconsin-Green Bay, their 12-6 record didn’t reveal any type of dominance. And even the teams that finished with 7-11 records have the ability to beat any other team on a given night. So to try to predict a tournament champ is nigh impossible. That means every team needs to put it all on the line in every game.