Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. YSU's Jewel Watkins drives and scores during the second half on Wednesday against Northern Kentucky. She scored a game-high 21 points in the Penguins' win.

YOUNGSTOWN — In recent games, Youngstown State has worked to overcome its scoring struggles on the offensive end of the floor.

On Wednesday, things started to come together offensively for the Penguins, as they posted one of their best scoring performances of the season by holding off Northern Kentucky 75-66 to snap their four-game losing streak.

“The emphasis was getting the ball inside, and I think we did that relatively well right from the get-go, but it all comes down to our defense and getting stops,” head coach Melissa Jackson said. “We were able to get out in transition. We thought that was a favorable thing for us to really fly down the floor. I thought we executed, we got into some of our sets, we took good shots and we moved the ball. I love seeing 16 assists to 14 turnovers. So we’re growing a little bit offensively.”

YSU scored 40 points in the first half — its best first-half scoring output since the season opener against Division II Lake Erie. The Penguins’ final tally of 75 points was just the third time this season they’ve scored at least 70.

For the game, YSU shot 44.2% overall, as senior guard Jewel Watkins led all scorers with a game-high 21 points. Fifth-year guard Malia Magestro and freshman forward Sophia Gregory each also scored in double figures, finishing with 15 points apiece.

“I think our transition offense really led to our high scoring,” Magestro said. “With that, we got more stops on defense, which led us to be able to push in transition. I thought over the last few games, that was our best transition scoring night.”

With the offense finding its rhythm, YSU’s defense followed as well.

“When we defend at a high level, it gives us an unbelievable chance to win basketball games,” Jackson said.

NKU’s leading scorers, Macey Blevins and Halle Idowu, have combined to average 25.3 points per game this season, with Blevins leading the way with 12.8 points per game.

The Penguins held the Norse duo to just 13 total points on 5-for-16 shooting.

“They’re really good players — I think Macy Blevins is absolutely an all-conference type of kid,” Jackson said. “We knew that was going to be a tough matchup, so credit to all the people that guarded her. Jewel was on her a lot. Jewel has proven multiple times now — she shut down (Purdue Fort Wayne’s) Lauren Ross — she did a great job tonight. But it’s a total team effort. I thought we really locked into scouting their sets. We executed stuff defensively at a high level.”

The Norse kept pace with the Penguins in the first half thanks to their hot shooting start from beyond the arc. NKU hit seven 3-pointers in the first half, with Kalissa Lacy knocking down four of them.

So at halftime, YSU addressed its three-point defense and adjusted. After starting 7-for-11, the Norse were just 1-for-4 from beyond the arc in the second half.

“That was a big thing in the locker room,” Magestro said. “Coach told us that they had seven threes. Seemed like we were just losing their shooters in transition. So we just really made an emphasis to not lose them in the second half, and it worked well for us.”

With both teams aggressively trying to get the ball into the post, it resulted in a combined 48 personal fouls and 54 total free throws attempted between the two squads.

YSU made the most of its opportunities at the line, converting 22-of-27 compared to just 16-of-27 for NKU.

“I thought we were the aggressors and that kind of set the tone,” Jackson said. “I don’t mind it because we’re getting to the free-throw line. We were getting the ball inside, we were driving, we were attacking some closeouts. It’s really good to see Jewel go 9-for-10 from the free-throw line because that’s something she’s really put an emphasis on in practice with getting to the rim a little bit more.”

YSU continues its homestand this weekend, as it hosts Robert Morris on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Zidian Family Arena at the Beeghly Center.

NEW THREADS

The Penguins wore unique jerseys against the Norse.

The jerseys featured multi-colored puzzle pieces within the numbers and “Y” logo as part of a partnership with the Rich Center for Autism on campus to raise awareness for autism spectrum disorder.

The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off to raise money for the Rich Center.