— By David Walsh
Marshall had a double-digit lead first. Youngstown State rallied in the second half to go up double digits as well.
Bryce Slay of the Thundering Herd made two free throws with 1:49 left to tie the game at 69, but the Penguins went back on top for good when Kelvin Amoako made 1-of-2 foul shots.
Marshall would miss its next two shots and Jayden Tyler made the necessary plays to clinch it for Youngstown State. His basket with 9 seconds left made it 72-69, but he missed his free throw.
Marshall’s Noah Otshudi was then fouled by the home team to prevent a 3-point try and converted two frees to make it a one-point game.
Marshall had to foul, selected Tyler again and he made both foul shots, and after Slay missed a triple at the buzzer, the Penguins secured the 74-71 victory on Saturday at Zidian Family Arena/Beeghly Center.
The game featured many whistles and the Herd lost Khaman Maker, Luke Rasmassen and Erich Harding to fouls, while Jeff Newankow and Jamar Livingston drew five for the Penguins. Marshall made 23-of-29 free throws and Youngstown struggled and converted 20-of-39.
“A lot of fouls,” Herd head coach Corny Jackson said on postgame radio. “That’s been a common theme for us. We put people at the line way too much. Not this game, every game. Too many silly fouls. It’s uncharacteristic and costs you. If we play to our standard, I feel we would’ve won. We come out and do not play to our standard. We gave them life and they walked it down. Until we get it fixed, it’s going to be a problem. It’s a lack of discipline to foul that much.”
Otshudi led all scorers with 28 points and Slay followed with 21. No other Marshall player was in double figures.
“We’ve got new guys. Unproven at this level. We have to find consistency,” Jackson said. “Guys we got in the rotation get heavy minutes. They’re expected to produce. Not every other game. Every game. Produce or do something to help this team jell and come out victorious. I don’t care if it’s five, seven or 41/2 (players). I don’t care. Bryce and Noah are pretty consistent. We have to find someone to come along with them.”
Marshall led 34-28 at halftime, but after a strong second half in Monday’s loss at Ohio State, things took a turn for the worse for the Herd over the final 20 minutes of this one.
In the end, Jackson said the Penguins did what they needed to generate their desired outcome.
“Hats off to them,” he said. “They played physical and aggressive. We let the big fellow have a career night. They outplayed us when it counted.”
Amoako had a double-double the Horizon League member with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Nwankwo finished with 12 and Jaiden Haynes and Jasphet Moupadele netted 10 each.
This was the home opener for Youngstown State (2-2). It was its first game against Marshall since 2005. It’s the first win over the Herd since 1950. Marshall leads the series (it started in 1948). 6-2.
Marshall (1-3) is back in action Tuesday against East Tennessee State. Start time at Cam Henderson Center is 7 p.m.