Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. YSU freshman Sophia Gregory puts up a layup in the post against Point Park on Saturday at the Beeghly Center. Gregory went for 28 points and 13 rebounds on a career-high day.

YOUNGSTOWN — Coming off a pair of defeats over its previous two games, Youngstown State head coach Melissa Jackson hoped her team could get back to its identity.

Jackson wanted the Penguins to share the ball more, play with pace and poise and show discipline on both ends of the floor.

With 25 assists, just nine turnovers and a dominant defensive effort, YSU fulfilled Jackson’s expectations as it coasted past Point Park 85-42 Saturday at the Beeghly Center.

“I love seeing 25 assists from our group. I thought we had some great offensive possessions,” Jackson said. “Very happy with this group. I don’t know if it was a 40-minute complete game, but it was very close. They should feel very happy going into the break because I feel like we got better today.”

Senior Jewel Watkins and freshman Sophia Gregory powered YSU in the first half. Watkins’ scoring came primarily from beyond the arc with three 3-pointers, while Gregory battled in the post.

“It felt good, it felt really good,” said Watkins, who finished 4-for-6 from three, while scoring 18 points. “Last game, it felt like there was a lid on the basket. So today, to see it go in was good.”

YSU’s defense limited the Pioneers to 28% (7-for-25) shooting in the first half, while shooting 42.1% themselves on the offensive end.

The Penguins ended the first half on a 12-3 run, punctuated by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Malia Magestro from the top of the key as time expired. YSU then opened the second half on a 13-1 run to push its lead to 31.

The Penguins consistently paired stops on defense with baskets on the offensive end of the floor, as YSU held Point Park to 28.3% shooting for the afternoon.

“I think this season we’ve proven that we’re a really good defensive team, and when we get out and run, it really helps our offensive flow,” Jackson said. “So credit to those that were out there that really sat down and guarded.

“We weren’t in many rotations today. That was a big point of emphasis — one-on-one defense. Can we contain them and be disciplined at the rim and make them take tough shots over us and have to finish us? They did, they made a couple, and I was okay with that, but we didn’t fail as much as we did the other night.”

GREGORY’S MONSTER DAY

Gregory continued to show her growth in her first season of college basketball on Saturday.

In her third career start and second home start, the Penguins went to her a ton on the low block offensively, trying to utilize her matchup advantage in the post. She posted a career-high 28 points, 13 boards and four blocks for her second career double-double.

“She’s talented, and she’s really coming into her own,” Jackson said. “There’s so much in her bag right now and she’s got a great skillset. She can play out of the high post, she can drive it and you’re starting to see her range a little bit. She continues to get better and she’s got a really high ceiling. What I love most about her is she wants to get better. She’s in the gym working and she’s watching a lot of film. She’s learning every single day in practice and every single game that she’s playing.”

Gregory’s 28 points are the fourth-most scored in a game by a freshman since YSU made the move to Division I. Dianne Rappach has the all-time record with 31 points vs. Malone in 1989.

With fellow freshman post Sarah Baker missing the last four games with an injury, Gregory has seen her minutes increase and her production has followed.

Gregory has now scored in double-figures in three of the last four games. She’s averaged 14.0 points per game in 25.3 minutes per game during that stretch.

“I think it’s coming to me a little bit more,” Gregory said. “There’s definitely things I need to work on still, but I’m becoming a little more comfortable in my position.”

The Alliance native and West Branch alum said she’s “grateful” for the opportunity to be able to play in front of her friends and family in her hometown.

“The fact that they’re able to come and support, it means everything to me,” Gregory said. “Having my friends and family so close is everything, and it feels like I’m almost able to give something back to them like what they gave me throughout high school.”

STAT-STUFFING THIERRY

Senior Haley Thierry continues to do a little bit of everything for the Penguins.

Against the Pioneers — while only scoring two points — she stuffed the statsheet, finishing with 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals in 28 minutes.

“She’s played that role for us,” Jackson said. “She’s come into practice every single day, and anything we’ve asked her, she’s done, and now it’s starting to translate to some minutes on the court. I thought she played well at Ohio State, she played well against Detroit and again today she gave us a huge lift off the bench.”

GILES’ HOMECOMING

Youngstown native and South Range alum Alexis Giles made her return to the Mahoning Valley with the Pioneers on Saturday.

She scored six points and had four assists in almost 29 minutes against the Penguins.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Penguins will now have a break for the Christmas holiday before returning to campus to prepare for a permanent return to Horizon League play for the rest of the season.

YSU will start things off with a visit to IU Indy on Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.