Before you get to read about who scored what, or how many blocks Damian Eargle had, or how many threes Blake Allen had, or what magic Kendrick Perry whipped up – a pat on the back goes to YSU Coach Jerry Slocum.

Three years ago when this Penguins program was bubbling under, Slocum’s head was called for by several.  For him to have a second consecutive winning season – albeit minus his starting lineup for half of the season- says a lot about where the program has advanced to in three years.

Slocum and staff put yet another exclamation point on a fantastic season with a thrilling tournament run that ended to Canisius.  The Golden Griffins overcame a 20-point second half deficit to overtake YSU and end their season, 84-82.

“This is a very disappointing loss”, said Slocum.  “We didn’t take care of the ball and they got 15 points on the defensive side.  It is not how we wanted this season to end.”

The Golden Griffins entered the game ranked third in the country for three-point field goals made per game at 9.2.  The Penguins made 9 three-pointers in the first half.  Credit Slocum for cutting the perimeter with a nifty zone which held the normally high-powered Canisius offense to 28 first half points.

In the first half, Allen and Eargle combined to score 12 of YSU’s first thirteen points. But the storyline of the first twenty minutes was YSU’s defense setting up the offense.  The normally explosive Golden Griffins were more than just held in check.  Canisius could only muster 15.4 % from three while the Penguins knocked down 9-16 long balls (56.4%) to take 45-28 led to intermission.

Allen, who poured in 27 points for YSU, led the quick start and finished the half with 16 points.  Eargle, Perry, and Kamren Belin all added eight points each.  Canisius got seven from Jordan Heath.

The second half started much like the first half ended.  YSU was drilling threes and had a commanding 53-33 lead at the 18:02 mark.  The twenty point lead turned into a two-point edge over the next seven minutes.  Canisius used a 18-0 run to get right back into the game and the score was 53-51 with 11:08 remaining.  D J Cole made a free throw to break the drought and Belin nailed a three with 9:37 to play and YSU ahead 57-54.

Canisius tied the game at 60 on a Alshwan Hymes three with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.

Eargle and Allen started it and seemed poised to finish it.  Allen hit his seventh three of the game and Eargle hit a pair of free throws that staked YSU to a 69-64 advantage with 4:15 left in the game.

Canisius would not go away quietly.  They came back from 20 to tie the game and this time they were only down seven and cut the YSU lead to 69-66 with 3:41 left to play.  Bill Baron then hit a three to tie the game again.

YSU held a 71-70 lead when Perry drove in from the right for an easy deuce that made it 73-70.  Baron again struck for three as the Golden Griffins had a possession in which they got to take three shots from long range.

With the crowd standing, Canisius held the ball for the last shot.  Baron dribbled at center but when the Golden Griffins attempted their approach to end it, Belin poked the ball out of bounds.  With 0.9 seconds left, Canisius inbounded but could not get a shot off.

In the overtime, Perry got things rolling with a three.  Canisius retaliated with a layup to cut the lead to one and then had a chance to nab the lead.  Perry was fouled after garnering a rebound.  The junior forward nailed both with 3:45 left to put YSU back up by three.  Another three tied the game at 3:18.

One of the Heath brothers, Jordan, hit the first of two and then his Canisius teammates got yet another offensive rebound.  The Penguins would dodge a bullet as Hymes attempted a three that went over the backboard to give YSU the ball.  Perry gave the Penguins the lead at 80-79 with 1:15 left to play.

With just under a minute to play, YSU missed a three and Canisius went back to work. Baron was fouled and hit both free throws to make it an 82-80 lead for the visitors.  YSU took a timeout with 36.7 seconds to play.

With Eargle seemingly trapped at the top of the key, he spun and made a drive to the hoop while being fouled.  The shot fell, Eargle went to the line, and YSU was in a dogfight.  Eargle missed the charity toss setting up Canisius for the last possession.

Baron, who ended up with 30 points, cranked up for another three and what looked like a clean block was whistled a foul with 2.1 seconds left.  Barron made two of three free throws to give the Golden Griffins an 84-82 lead.  YSU could only muster a Perry desperation heave and the game would end.

“This is the most enjoyable season I have had since I got to Youngstown”, said Slocum.  “They are a great bunch and were all in, all year.  It is sad that it ended this way for them.”