Youngstown St defeats Bryant & Strat 99-61
Bryant & Strat Dominates Youngstown St in Statement Win
In a thoroughly one-sided affair, the visiting Bryant & Strat team handed home favorite Youngstown St a 38-point loss, cruising to a 99-61 victory at the Beeghly Center on Saturday.
The game was never close, as Youngstown St's dominance from the opening tip-off set the tone for the rest of the contest. By halftime, the home team led by a staggering 26 points, 51-25, and never looked back.
Youngstown St's balanced attack proved to be too much for Bryant & Strat to handle, with Bryson Dawkins leading the way with 21 points on 80.0% shooting from the field. Vlad Salaridze chipped in with 13 rebounds, while Drew King dished out seven assists to go along with four points and five rebounds.
For the visitors, Greg Thurman scored 12 points, but it was not enough to stem the tide. Phillip Byrd led Bryant & Strat on the glass with eight rebounds, while Dondi Harper provided five assists in the loss.
The statistical disparity between the two teams was stark, with Youngstown St shooting a team-best 63.5% from the field and 47.0% from three-point range. The home team's eFG% of 63.5%, combined with their strong free throw performance (70.0%), helped them maintain control throughout.
Bryant & Strat's struggles on the other end were equally notable, as they shot just 38.0% from the field and 28.0% from three-point range. The visitors' inability to score efficiently was a major factor in their defeat.
The loss marks a significant test for Youngstown St, which had been riding high after a string of victories to start the season. The blowout loss serves as a wake-up call for the home team, who will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to regain their footing in conference play.
For Bryant & Strat, this win provides a confidence boost ahead of upcoming matchups against ranked opponents. The visitors will look to build on this momentum as they head into the heart of their schedule.
In the end, it was a statement win for Youngstown St's opponents, and one that will be remembered for some time to come.