The Youngstown State women’s basketball team used strong defense and got 24 points and 15 rebounds from Brandi Brown to hold off Buffalo in a 60-50 victory on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Arena.

Freshman Shar’Rae Davis added a career-high 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Liz Hornberger (above) matched her career high with 12 points. Rachel Gregory had 17 points to lead Buffalo.

The Penguins held Buffalo scoreless for more than five minutes on three different occasions in the contest, and that helped them overcome a slugging ending to the game in which they went without a field goal for nine minutes.  Coach Bob Boldon stressed before the season started that defense was the facet of the team that the Penguins wanted to get better with.

YSU’s 10-point victory avenged a 54-point loss at Buffalo three ago. It follows YSU’s 66-point turnaround against Pittsburgh when it beat the Panthers by 14 on Friday after losing by 52 three seasons ago, and suddenly the Penguins are 2-0 for the first time since 1999-2000.

Youngstown State will play its home opener against Bryant on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. For tickets, call (330) 941-1978.