Bronx, N.Y. -- Junior Donel Cathcart III scored 27 points and freshman Darius Quisenberry had 21 points but the Youngstown State men's basketball team dropped a 102-93 decision to FIU on Sunday afternoon in the Johnny Bach Classic at Rose Hill Gym.
The Penguins fall to 2-4 overall while the Panthers improve to 5-1.
The Penguins shot made the same number of field-goal attempts (35), had two more made 3-pointers (9-7) and out-rebounded the Panthers (45-31), but FIU went 25-of-34 from the free-throw line while the Penguins were just 14-of-23 from the charity stripe.
Leading FIU was Brian Beard, Jr., with a game-high 36 points, Devon Andrews with 18 points and Osaumwen Osaghae with 14. Sixteen of Beard, Jr.'s point came from the free-throw line.
The game featured 14 lead changes and six ties, the Penguins trailed by six, 34-28, with 6:12 left before halftime. Sparked by Cathcart and freshman Atiba Taylor, the Penguins outscored the Panthers, 20-10, to close out the half and took a 48-44 lead into the locker-room at halftime. During the run, Cathcart poured in 12 points, including three 3-pointers and a three-point play, and Taylor added four and gave the Penguins the lead, 42-41, with a driving layup at the 2:01 mark.
The teams exchanged the lead seven time in the second half and the Penguins led 66-64 after Cathcart's fourth 3-pointer at the 12:29 mark.
Beard, Jr., scored the next six points and gave the Panthers a lead they would never relinquish. After FIU extended the lead to nine, the Penguins cut the deficit down to four, 93-89, with 2:48 left but would not get any closer.
YSU returns home to host Westminster, Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Beeghly Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
