The Youngstown State University Lady Penguins took the floor at home for the first time this season.  Playing in their fourth game of the year, and coming in with a 2-1 record (33% of last years win total), the Penguins fell to American University of the Patriot League, 48-41.  It was a struggle on offense for the ‘Guins from start to finish.

“It is early in the year and the offense we run takes time”, said Coach Bob Boldon.  “Nobody is more frustrated than me.  The only thing we didn’t miss was a half court shot.  If you are going to compete and win games against good teams, you have to shoot better.”

In the first half, American raced out to an eleven point lead with seven minutes to play.  Youngstown State cut the lead back to five points by intermission and trailed 25-20.  Brandi Brown, the Horizon League Preseason Player of The Year, and Devan Matkin each scored six for the Penguins in the opening stanza.

In the second half, the Penguins reeled off the first five points to make the score 26-25.  The home team surged ahead at the 13:11 mark of the second half, taking a 28-27 lead, their first since it was 2-0 a minute into the game. Tieara Jones got an offensive rebound and battled through three Eagles to get the lead for the Penguins.  At the 10:31 mark, Monica Touvelle hit a three to open a two-point lead for YSU.

The Penguins really struggled on offense, shooting 27.8% from the floor, 18.5% from three, and 50% from the line.

“Defensively, we are getting a little better each game.  Offensively, we seem to be getting worse each game”, noted Boldon.  “We were swapping four players at a time because we are out of shape.  I do like our depth, it gives us the freedom to make more moves, and we will continue to play a lot of people.

With YSU trailing 36-35 and 5:44 left in the game, Heidi Schlegel was fouled on a steal but missed both of the free throws.  To that point in the game, the ‘Guins were just 2-8 from the charity stripe.  Brown hit a shot with 3:40 left in the game to give the Penguins a one point lead.  Lisa Strack went to the line for American and hit both ends of the one-and-one to put the Eagles back in front by a point.

Dobbs connected for three to stretch the Eagles lead to 41-37 with 2:16 left in the contest.  Kenya Middlebrooks got to the line and hit a pair of free throws to cut the Eagles lead to two at 41-39 with 1:34 remaining.  Arron Zimmerman then hit a three-pointer to hoist American into a five point lead with 1:14 left to go.

Brown finished the game with 14 points, one short of the 1,000 point career mark, and 9 rebounds for the Penguins (2-2). Matkin and Middlebrooks finished with six points each.  The Penguins committed 21 turnovers in the loss.

Dobbs gathered 14 points for the Eagles. Stephanie Anya gathered 10 rebounds.  The Eagles had 25 turnovers, but the Penguins only scored 15 points off of those chances.

The Penguins head west to compete in a holiday tournament, which Boldon addressed with mixed emotions.  “It is nice in the sense that Brandi and Macey will get a chance to play in front of their families.  Obviously, I would rather spend the holidays with my family at home, but it is nice to allow their families to see them play.”