Fourth quarter surge sends YSU past Golden Eagles | News, Sports, Jobs

Corresponding photo / Jewel Watkins of Robert Hayes Youngstown State University shoots and scores on a jumper during the second half in the 69-52 win over Clarion Friday at the Beeghly Center.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Youngstown State University women’s basketball team tied it up in the final seven minutes.

The offensive and defensive focus helped the Penguins pull away for a 69-52 win over Clarion Friday night at the Beeghly Center in Youngstown.

YSU (3-0) went on an 11-1 run midway through the fourth quarter, creating some separation from the Golden Eagles.

A layup by Xoe Rosalez with 6:59 left sparked the Penguins’ scoring outburst. At the time, YSU held a 48-45 lead, but a Sarah Baker free throw and a Jewel Watkins jumper got the Penguins offense going again. Three straight baskets from Watkins increased YSU’s lead to 61-46 at the 3:24 mark.

The Penguins didn’t start as well as they would have liked, trailing Clarion 18-17 at the end of the first quarter.

YSU took the lead with a strong defensive second quarter. The Penguins held the Golden Eagles to 10 points in the game, and seven players scored at least one point in a 16-point quarter.

YSU took a 33-28 lead into halftime.

Both teams traded baskets in the third quarter and the Penguins held a 45-40 lead entering the fourth.

The Golden Eagles were able to cut the lead to 48-45 on a Hannah Wilkerson layup with 7:25 left. But YSU dug deep and came away with the victory with its 11-1 run to turn the tide.

Watkins led all scorers with 24 points. Rosalez had six points, seven rebounds and four assists, Malia Magestro added 11 points and Faith Burch recorded five points and a game-high nine rebounds.

The Penguins will host Mercyhurst on Tuesday as they look to remain undefeated. The opening council is scheduled for 11 a.m.