Strong First Half Not Enough as Penn State Shenango Falls at Division I Youngstown State
November 10, 2025 – Youngstown, OH – Penn State Shenango Men's Basketball put together an impressive first-half performance and earned high praise from the game's broadcast crew, but a huge second half from NCAA Division I-Youngstown State tipped the night in favor of the Penguins, 115–53, at the Beeghly Center.
Penn State Shenango (1–1) went toe-to-toe with Youngstown State for much of the opening period, trading leads and answering every run with one of their own. Shenango's energy, ball movement, and unselfish play stood out, as the Lions attacked the paint and knocked down key shots to stay within striking distance. Despite trailing 43–34 at halftime, the first-half showing drew repeated on-air compliments from the Youngstown State announcers, who noted Shenango's discipline and competitiveness against the Division I opponent.
The second half swung dramatically in favor of Youngstown State, which outscored Shenango 72–19 after the break. The Penguins used length, pressure defense, and transition offense to widen the margin, finishing the night shooting 50.0% from the field and 87.1% at the free-throw line while outrebounding Shenango 56–28.
Kevon Washington led Shenango with 16 points, knocking down a pair of threes and finding ways to score against YSU's size. Off the bench, Jordan Dotson delivered a strong outing with 13 points, including two threes and several tough finishes that kept Shenango competitive throughout the first half. Darius Williams put together one of the team's most impressive all-around performances, posting nine points and a game-high nine assists. His creation and court vision fueled Shenango's 15 assists on 22 made field goals, a testament to the team's willingness to move the ball.
Izzy Santiago added eight points, showing his ability to get downhill and create offense, while Devin Alston contributed six points and two steals. Isaiah Martindale also provided valuable minutes, adding a point and grabbing two rebounds. On the boards, Rhys Grocott and Dotson each pulled down four rebounds, while Washington and Williams added key efforts to help Shenango battle inside.
Youngstown State showcased its depth with six players scoring in double figures. Imanuel Zorgvol led all scorers with 18 points, while Cam Polak and Jaiden Haynes added 14 apiece. The Penguins' 20 steals and 24 assists powered their second-half surge.
Despite the final score, Penn State Shenango walked away with meaningful positives—including a strong first half, confident shot-making, and competitive toughness against a Division I roster. The Lions now turn their attention to the next matchup with momentum from an encouraging opening stretch against top-level talent.