Youngstown State Beats Bowling Green at the Stroh - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Youngstown State Beats Bowling Green at the Stroh

BOWLING GREEN —Bowling Green never led on Saturday in their 58-49 loss to Youngstown State at Stroh Center. The Falcons, who didn't score until the 15:47 mark of the first half, shot just 28% (7-25) from the field in the first half and 31% (18-58) for the game. The loss drops the Falcons to 3-4 on the young season. Youngstown State improves to 4-4 with the win.

On the heels of their most impressive performance of the season Tuesday night vs. Detroit, the Falcons came out cold from the field, scoring just four points in the first 10:31 of the game. Bowling Green would manage just 17 first-half points, their lowest output in a first-half since March 1, 2011, when they scored just 17 vs. Kent State.

After falling behind 6-0 to start the game, A'uston Calhoun would find himself wide open under the hoop for a transition slam, and the Falcons' first points of the day. Calhoun led the Falcons at halftime with eight points.

With 8:06 remaining in the first half, the Falcons cut the lead to one, at 10-9, after a Richaun Holmes ‘and-one' layup. Holmes provided a spark off the bench in the first half, scoring three points, while adding two rebounds and two blocked shots.

Over the next six minutes, Youngstown State went on a 13-6 run to build their largest first half lead, at 23-15.

The Falcons would add two Calhoun free throws near the end of the half, making their halftime deficit just six, at 23-17.

Calhoun led the Falcons with eight points in the first half. No other Falcon had more than three.

Coming out of the halftime break, Youngstown State continued to take advantage of the Falcons cold shooting performance, building a 45-29 lead with 8:52 to play. Coach Orr would turn up the defensive pressure from there, leading to a 14-4 run. During that run, the Falcons used easy buckets and free-throws to climb back into the contest. The run spanned exactly five minutes and cut the deficit to just six, at 49-43.

Youngstown State's Damian Eargle would stop the run with an 18-foot jump shot from the top of the key. Two Falcons layups and two YSU free throws made it 53-47 with 1:14 remaining.

Down the stretch, the Penguins would ice the game from the line. Shooting just 12-26 (46.2%) for the game from the free-throw line, the Penguins made 7-of-10 in the final three minutes to secure the victory.

14 of Jordon Crawford's team-high 16 points came in the second half, as he was an integral reason as to why the Falcon were able to climb back into the contest.

Saturday was the first time since December 4, 2010, a contest at Michigan State, in which the Falcons did not manage to score 50 points.

Holmes set a new career-high on the afternoon, as he snatched eight rebounds, including five offensive boards. Craig Sealey also set a season-high with a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line.