Cold-Shooting Dooms Penguins in 63-48 Loss at Butler

    Indianapolis, Ind. -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team (10-10, 5-4 Horizon League) shot just 32.2 percent from the field and committed 21 turnovers and dropped a 63-48 decision to Butler (14-6, 4-5 Horizon League) on Saturday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

    Junior Tiara Scott led the Penguins with 17 points and eight rebounds while junior Velissa Vaughn scored 13 points.

    The Penguins jumped out to an 8-4 lead within the first six minutes after Vaughn scored the game first five points on a jumper and a 3-pointer.

    Butler, though, retaliated with a 16-2 run over the next eight minutes to take a 10-point 20-10 lead with 6:17 left in the half. After senior Heather Karner hit a jumper at the 10:40 mark to bring the Guins withiin two, 12-10, YSU went scoreless over the next 7:40 when Scott's three-point play cut the deficit to seven, 20-13, with three minutes remaining.

    Leading by nine at the intermission, 26-17, Butler scored six of the first eight points of the second half to extend their advantage to 13, 32-19, at the 18:12 mark.

    A jumper by Scott and two 3-pointers by Vaughn brought the Penguins within five 32-27, with 16 minutes left.

    After an exchange of baskets held the difference at five, 34-29, Butler would score eight straight points to bolster its lead back to 13 and the Guins would never recover.

    For the game, Scott and Vaughn combined for 12 of YSU 19 field goals and 30 of its 48 points.

    Butler shot just 36.4 percent from the field overall but connected on 46.7 percent in the second half.
    The Guins return home to host league leader Green Bay, Thursday, Feb. 7. Tipoff is slated for 5:15 p.m. at the Beeghly Center and is part of a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader.