Jerrod Calhoun Collects Win Number 200 Over UC San Diego in Annapolis

By: Ethan Hennessy

Annapolis Maryland

Youngstown State and UC San Diego met for the first ever series meeting on the hardwood in Annapolis Maryland. Both teams were participating in a three team MTE held at Navy. Youngstown State started off hot early, but UC San Diego battled back throughout the half and eventually ended the first half on a 13-2 run to take a 37-32 lead into the break.

The Penguins roared out of halftime hitting their first three shots to take the lead 40-37. In that time UC San Diego forward Francis Nwaokorie also went down with an ankle injury. By the time we reached the under 16 media timeout the Penguins had blitzed UC San Diego taking a 51-41 lead. After the game UC San Diego coach Eric Olen told me regarding those first few minutes of the second half “We couldn’t keep them out of the paint. I thought they really raised their energy level and their aggression.”

Through the first eight minutes YSU outscored the Tritons 25-4. Towards the end of the second half both teams struggled to make shots. However, Youngstown State maintained a 13 point lead for that time. Ultimately the Penguins closed out the game and Jerrod Calhoun picked up his 200th career win as a coach. Calhoun said postgame “You think about all of the memories, the players, great places around the country and great programs. For the kids to not drench me with water I was happy. They went nuts in the locker-room, and it was just a good feeling.”

Next for Youngstown State is a game right back in Alumni Hall against Navy. UC San Diego will stay on the east coast and take on George Washington at the Charles E Smith Center.