YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Freshman Adam Leonard's game-tying three-point attempt rattled in-and-out with four seconds remaining, allowing Youngstown State to escape with a 66-61 win over the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team Saturday afternoon at the Beeghly Center. The game was played as part of the ESPNU BracketBusters series. With the win, Youngstown improves to 12-15 and snaps the Colonels' (17-10) seven-game winning streak.
A three-pointer from sophomore Mike Rose gave EKU just its second lead of the game, 58-56, with 3:14 left in the contest. Another three-pointer, this time by senior Michael Brock, broke a tie with under two minutes showing to make the score 61-58 in favor of the Colonels. From there, four straight Youngstown State free throws put the home team back on top, 62-61.
After Eastern Kentucky failed to convert on its next possession, Leonard intercepted an errant Youngstown State pass at mid-court allowing the Colonels to hold the ball for the final shot of the game. Eastern called timeout with 16 ticks left to set up its last play, but turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds pass. The Penguins then converted two free throws to push the lead to three points with 12 seconds remaining, 64-61.
Youngstown State was whistled for a foul four seconds later, sending senior Julian Mascoll to the free throw line for a 1-and-1 situation. Mascoll missed the first attempt, but the rebound was tipped to Leonard. The freshman guard fired a long-range three-pointer which went halfway through the cylinder before bouncing out. YSU corralled the rebound and made two more free throws to seal the win.
The Penguins led throughout most of the first half and built a 10-point cushion, 25-15, late in the stanza. Three-pointers from Rose and Mascoll helped EKU cut the deficit to five points at the break, 29-24. Mascoll and Rose went 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) from the floor in the first 20 minutes while the rest of the team combined to go 4-of-23 (17.4 percent).
Early in the second half, back-to-back buckets by Brock slashed the Youngstown lead to one point, 33-32. The Penguins were able to rebuild a nine-point advantage only to see the Colonels fight back once again. A Leonard steal and breakaway lay-in leveled the game at 50-all. Two more ties ensued before Rose's three-pointer put Eastern Kentucky ahead, 58-56.
Rose finished with a team-high 16 points on 50 percent (5-of-10) shooting from the floor. Leonard netted 14 points while junior Darnell Dialls chipped in with 10 tallies.
For Youngstown State, Quin Humphrey recorded 20 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Jack Liles added 18 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
This is just the second year Eastern Kentucky has participated in the ESPNU BracketBusters series. Last season, the Colonels hosted Big South foe UNC Asheville. As part of the BracketBusters agreement, Youngstown State will make a return trip to EKU next season.
The Colonels conclude the regular season next week with two pivotal road OVC games – at Austin Peay and Tennessee State. EKU will first face league leader Austin Peay on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 8:30 p.m.
