Penguins Come Up Short Against South Alabama, 84-75

by YSU

Saturday, Nov 19, 2016 11:14 pm

Mobile, Ala. -- Junior Cameron Morse scored a game-high 27 points and senior Jorden Kaufman posted a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebound, but the Youngstown State dropped an 84-75 decision to South Alabama on Saturday afternoon at the Mitchell Center.

Senior Brett Frantz also tied a career high with 13 points for the Penguins, who fall to 1-3 on the year. Morse also had six rebounds and six assists.

Leading South Alabama, who improves to 4-0, was Ken Williams with 19 points and Nick Stover with 16 points. Don MuepoKelly had 12 poinst and Herb McGee added 10 points.

The game featured eight lead changes and six ties but the Penguins led for just 3:15 while the Jaguars led the game for 33:37.

Youngstown State trailed by 14 points, 65-51, with 8:22 left in the game, but used a 19-10 run over the next five minutes to get within five, 75-70, with 3:51 to go. Morse buried a 3-pointer, Latin Davis split a pair of free throws and freshman Braun Hartfield drained a 3-pointer to cut the lead to five.

Kaufman's layup with 59 seconds left got the Penguins within four, 79-75, but the Jaguars scored the final five points of the game.

The Penguins broke a 36-36 halftime tie and took a 42-39 lead after three straight baskets by Kaufman. The Jaguars, though, scored the next 12 points to take a 51-42 lead with 13:36 left.

For the game, the Penguins shot just 37.7 percent from the field, 29.6 percent from 3-point range and 88.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Youngstown State plays its final game in Mobile, Ala., against Florida International, Sunday, at 1:30 p.m. ET.