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Columbus, Ohio – In a challenging matchup, the Youngstown State men’s basketball team faced a tough defeat against the No. 21 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, falling 81-47 on Monday evening at the bustling Value City Arena in Columbus.
Leading the way for the Penguins was Cris Carroll, who delivered a commendable performance with 10 points and seven rebounds. Teammates Gabe Dynes and Ty Harper contributed nine points each, showcasing their offensive skills despite the loss.
With this defeat, YSU’s season record now stands at 1-1, while the Buckeyes improved to a perfect 2-0, further solidifying their strong start to the season.
The Penguins initially grabbed a quick 2-0 lead on a basket by Dynes, but the Buckeyes responded emphatically, scoring the next 10 points of the game. Ohio State’s early offensive rhythm was evident as they hit five of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc.
After weathering Ohio State’s initial surge, the Penguins managed to regroup and stayed within striking distance throughout the first half, demonstrating resilience against the highly ranked team.
In a pivotal moment, down 15-6, Carroll put in a follow basket to reduce the deficit to seven points. However, the Buckeyes swiftly countered with six unanswered points. YSU’s Galette momentarily halted the Buckeyes’ momentum with a skillful reverse layup. Dynes then contributed with a fastbreak layup, showcasing the Penguins’ ability to respond under pressure.
Trailing 27-14, Christian Kirkland finally landed YSU’s first 3-pointer of the night, cutting the Buckeye lead to 10 with just over six minutes remaining in the opening half. Shortly thereafter, Harper managed to split a pair of free throws, narrowing the gap to nine points, but Ohio State quickly extended their lead with an 8-2 run, pushing the lead back to 15 points.
Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the final minutes of the half. Galette made two free throws, while Ohio State’s Ques Glover added a 15-footer, concluding the first half with the score at 37-22 in favor of the Buckeyes.
The Penguins struggled significantly with their shooting, managing only 21.9 percent from the field (7-32) and converting just one 3-pointer in the first half. Conversely, Ohio State demonstrated their shooting prowess with an impressive 51.7 percent, making 15-of-19 attempts, including five 3-pointers.
In the second half, the Buckeyes continued to dominate, outscoring YSU by a staggering 19 points, showcasing their depth and cohesion.
Overall, the Penguins finished the game shooting just 24 percent (14-of-59) and made three 3-pointers. They attempted 24 free throws, making good on 16 of them, and recorded eight steals and four blocks, highlighting their defensive efforts despite the loss.
Leading the charge for Ohio State were John Mobley Jr. and Aaron Bradshaw, each finishing with 16 points. The Buckeyes showcased their offensive depth with five players scoring in double figures, shooting 55.4 percent overall from the field.
The Penguins will look to bounce back as they return to action on Saturday, visiting Syracuse for an exciting match-up. Tipoff against the Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome is scheduled for 1 p.m.
**Interview with Youngstown State Men’s Basketball Coach, Jared Luge**
*Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Coach Luge. Your team faced a formidable opponent in Ohio State last night. What are your thoughts on the game?*
**Coach Luge:** Thank you for having me. It was definitely a tough matchup for us against a highly-ranked team. I’m proud of how our players fought through the challenges, especially in the first half. We showed moments of resilience and the ability to respond under pressure, which is encouraging for the season ahead.
*Interviewer: Cris Carroll led your team with 10 points and 7 rebounds. How important is it to have a player like Cris stepping up in challenging games?*
**Coach Luge:** Cris has been a key player for us. His energy and leadership on the court are invaluable, especially against a team like Ohio State. He not only contributed offensively but also helped set the tone defensively. His performance gives us a foundation to build on as we progress through the season.
*Interviewer: The Penguins saw a quick start with Gabe Dynes scoring the first basket. Was there a specific strategy you had going into the game?*
**Coach Luge:** We aimed to execute our game plan early and establish a rhythm. Getting that quick basket built some momentum, but we knew Ohio State would respond. We wanted to focus on maintaining our composure and sticking to our game plan even when they surged.
*Interviewer: Despite the loss, there were moments of impressive play from your team. How do you plan to use this experience to prepare for future games?*
**Coach Luge:** Every game is a learning opportunity, and this one is no exception. We’ll review the film to address our defensive lapses and discuss the areas where we excelled. It’s about building confidence and knowing that we can compete at this level. We’ll take these lessons into our next practices and games.
*Interviewer: With a season record now at 1-1, what are your goals for the remainder of the season?*
**Coach Luge:** Our primary goal is to continue improving each game. We want to develop our chemistry as a team and ensure our players gain confidence in their roles. The ultimate aim is to be competitive in our conference play and set ourselves up for a strong finish to the season.
*Interviewer: Thank you, Coach. Best of luck with the rest of the season!*
**Coach Luge:** Thank you! We appreciate the support. We’re excited for what’s next.
