Youngstown State Penguins set D-I win streak mark after 77-61 victory at IU-Indy
Youngstown State jumped out to an early lead, staved off an IU-Indy mid-game run, and surged to a 77-61 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Corteva Coliseum at the Fairgrounds.
The Penguins (10-5, 5-0 Horizon League) won for the eighth straight time, setting the program’s Division I record for consecutive wins. The last time Youngstown State won at least eight straight games was in 1979-80. This is also the first time Youngstown State has started Horizon League play 5-0.
Senior EJ Farmer tied a career high with 26 points and tied a career best with five 3-pointers while making 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Senior Siem Uijtendaal scored a season-high 14 points and made a season-best four 3s.
Nico Galette just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds while Gabe Dynes recorded a career-high 12 rebounds and added three blocks.
The Penguins, who never trailed in the game, jumped out to a quick start scoring eight of the first 10 points of the game. Farmer hit a 3-pointer, Cris Carroll added a layup, and Farmer buried another 3-pointer to push the Penguins, who shot 52 percent from the field in the first half, out to the 8-2 advantage.
After the Jaguars cut the lead to 8-7, Youngstown State went on a 13-0 run to take a 21-7 advantage at the 14:14 mark. Farmer sparked the run with three charity tosses followed by a layup by Galette, another 3-pointer by Farmer, another layup by Galette, and a 3-pointer by Uijtendaal.
The Penguins pushed their lead out the 45-30 with 1:31 remaining and entered the locker room with a 45-35 advantage.
Youngtown State missed its first seven shots of the second half and the Jaguars came storming back with a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to 47-45 at the 15:19 mark.
A dunk by Dynes, a free throw by Farmer, and back-to-back 3-pointers from Jason Nelson and Uijtendaal expanded the Penguins lead to 11, 56-45, with 11:55 left.
Galette, Farmer and Uijtendaal each hit 3-pointers over the next six minutes to push the Youngstown State advantage to 19, 70-51, with 5:20 to go.
Uijtendaal’s fourth 3-pointer of the game gave the Penguins a 75-57 lead at the 2:24 mark and sealed the victory.
Youngstown State visits Purdue Fort Wayne, Saturday, Jan. 4. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Ind.