Youngstown State University Aims for Unbeaten Road Streak in Horizon League Play

Strategic Insights -

As Youngstown State heads to Purdue Fort Wayne for a Thursday contest, the Penguins are looking to remain unbeaten on the road in conference play and extend their winning streak to five games. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Gates Sports Center, and the game will be broadcast live on 1390 WNIO and ESPN+. The Penguins finished off a seven-win January by edging Northern Kentucky 52-51 on Saturday at Beeghly Center, with Paige Shy making two game-winning free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining.

Key Takeaways:

  • Youngstown State is 16-5 overall and 10-2 in Horizon League games, with a current five-game winning streak and a 6-0 record on the road in conference play.
  • The Penguins have won four straight contests, eight of nine, and 15 of 17 games since November 25, boasting a .882 winning percentage that is among the top 10 teams in the country.
  • Lilly Ritz leads the Horizon League in rebounding (10.7), field-goal percentage (.620), and double-doubles (12), and ranks among the top 15 players in the country in these categories.
  • Ritz also ranks second in the league in scoring (17.2 ppg), and three Penguins guards - Malia Magestro, Megan Callahan, and Shy - are averaging at least eight points and rank among the top 12 in the Horizon League in 3s per game.
  • Dena Jarrells has scored at least eight points in four straight games and ranks third in the Horizon League with 3.6 assists per game, with the Penguins being 8-0 with her in the starting lineup.

Statistics:

  • Youngstown State's current winning streak of five games
  • Pr. Shy's .882 free-throw shooting percentage in the fifth game of the winning streak
  • Ritz's 10.7 rebounding average, the highest in the Horizon League
  • The Penguins' .882 winning percentage since November 25, which is among the top 10 teams in the country

Sources:

  • Youngstown State University
  • Horizon League
  • ESPN+
  • 1390 WNIO