Youngstown gets a Win over the Lady Raiders

February 17, 2008
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With Jodi Martin, WSU's all time women's high point getter (2,025) watching, the Lady Raiders opened this game with Freshman Shey Peddy hitting a three just 15 seconds into the game. However, Youngstown answered with two three pointers of their own in the next minute. The lead would change hands three times in the first half, but the Lady Raiders hit several dry spells in their scoring, which gave YSU the openings they needed.

In the first half the women played tough but just didn't make it all come together. They were shooting 48% (12-25) to YSU's 52.2% (12-23). WSU controlled the boards 17-11 and they picked off seven steals. The bench provided the team with 10 points in the first half, but the opening three point lead was the team's largest lead in the half, and indeed the game.

Peddy lead the scoring in the half with 9 points followed by Senior Sierra Crayton with 6. Senior Whitney Lewis was leading the defense with five rebounds and two steals. She also sank a three pointer in the half. But at the buzzer, Youngstown was comfortably ahead, 36-27.

The second half would see a couple of runs by the Raiders, but they were followed by dry spells on hitting the basket. Lewis started off the second half with a basket and Wright State would cut the lead to seven with 14:30 left in the game. The Lady Raiders wouldn't hit another basket until 9:04 when they made it a 12 point YSU lead. Wright State would never catch up to YSU today.

It's tough to lose a game with alumni like Martin, Iesha Grey, Tyanda Hammock, Stephanie Comisar, Rhea Mays and Kendra Agee and others watching. It's also hard to face defeat when three players finish in double digits, including Lewis who finished with a double double hitting 11 points and 13 rebounds. She also had two steals, two blocked shots and an assist in the game.

When you out rebound your opponent 37-26, get 8 steals and four blocked shots, outshoot Youngstown 46.2% (24-52) to 42.6% (20-47) and even keep your turnovers below your average, you would think you would walk away with the win. That was not the case today. Perhaps more shooting from the outside would have helped, but they didn't do that. Six for 14 from the line did not help either, compared to 17-19 for Youngstown.

Peddy lead the team in the second half just like the first and finished the game with 17 points, five steals, one blocked shot, two rebounds and five assists. Freshman LaShawna Thomas sank 14 points, two assists and grabbed three boards.

Today YSU got the win 66-58. Now the Lady Raiders face two tough road games, Butler and Valparaiso. They return to the Nutter Center on Feb 28th at 7pm to host Loyola.

OF SPECIAL NOTE:

• Today was Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The team warmed up in pink shirts and wore pink socks throughout the game. The coaching staff also wore pink.
• Today was also ALUMNI DAY. Several players from previous years attended the game and a reception after the game. It was a pleasure to meet Jodi Martin, who I have referred to several times and her record in WSU Women's BBall.
• It was excellent to see Tyanda Hammock in attendance. She told me that her chemo treatments are going well and her tumor is subsiding. I will remind everyone, that Wright Patt Credit Union still has the Tyanda Hammock Fund available for donations and there is information on the official athletic web site as well.