By Pete Ross

1 30 2025

GAME NOTES

https://ysusports.com/documents/2025/1/29/2024-25-YSU-MBB-notes-wsu-2.pdf

EJ FARMER PRESS CONFERENCE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAhyNPdQg3Y

Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men’s basketball team continues its four-game homestand when it welcomes Horizon League foe Wright State, Thursday, Jan. 30. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center, and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.
.
Up Next
Youngstown State closes out its homestand against IU Indy, Saturday, Feb. 1. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Last Time Out
Six players scored in double figures and four posted double-doubles as the Youngstown State men’s basketball team defeated Penn State-Shenango, 112-63, on Friday morning at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. Senior EJ Farmer led the Penguins with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Ty Harper scored 17 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers. Jason Nelson scored 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting with three 3-pointers. Gabe Dynes poured in 13 points with 12 rebounds and swatted four shots while Nico Galette scored 12 points with 10 rebounds and Cris Carroll added 11 points with 12 boards. The Penguins also made a season-high 15 3-pointers.

Series vs. Wright State
This is the 71st meeting between Youngstown State and Wright State in a series dating back to 1977. The Raiders own a 50-20 advantage in the all-time series, but the Penguins have won the last five contests. Earlier this season, the Penguins knocked off the Raiders, 80-70, on Dec. 18, 2024, in Dayton, Ohio. Youngstown State has also won the last four contests played at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Scouting Wright State
Wright State enters the game with an overall record of 11-11 and a 5-6 mark in Horizon League play. The Raiders, who are 3-6 on the road, are coming off a 67-50 win over Detroit Mercy on Jan. 25. Brandon Noel leads the Raiders with 18.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Alex Huibregtse is averaging 15 points per game and shooting 40.1 percent from 3-point range.

Last Time Against Wright State
Youngstown State overcame a double-digit first-half deficit and outscored Wright State by 15 in the second half to post an 80-70 win on Dec. 18 at the Nutter Center. Senior Ty Harper scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half to lead the Penguins, who won for the fifth consecutive time over the Raiders. Junior Jason Nelson scored 15 points while Cris Carroll and Gabe Dynes each added 10 points.

A Win Would…

• Improve YSU’s record to 14-9 overall and 8-4 in the Horizon League.
• Mark the sixth time in program history the Penguins began conference play 8-4 or better after 12 games.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner‘s 14th career win and second over Wright State.
• Mark Youngstown State’s sixth straight win over the Raiders and the ninth in the last 11 games.
• Be the fifth straight win over Wright State at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.
• Give the Penguins a 6-3 home record overall and a 4-2 Horizon League home record.

Guins Set Rebound Mark
Youngstown State set a school single-game record with 72 rebounds against Penn State-Shenango on Jan. 24. It marks the first time in program history YSU posted at least 70 rebounds in a game. The old mark of 66 was set against Westminster on Nov. 23, 2013.

Double-Double Quartet
For the first time in program history, four players recorded double-doubles for the Penguins in their win over Penn State-Shenango. Cris Carroll had 11 points and 12 rebounds, Nico Galette recorded 12 points and 10 boards, Gabe Dynes posted 13 points and 12 rebounds while EJ Farmer had 20 points and 10 rebounds. The last time YSU had at least three players with doubles-doubles was against South Carolina State on Dec. 22, 1986.

Nelson Finding His Groove
Junior Jason Nelson has been in a groove offensively over the last five games. Nelson averaged 11.8 points and 3.8 assists per game. He scored a season-high 16 points against Penn State-Shenango on Jan. 24 and dished out a season-best seven assists against Robert Morris.

Carroll Steppin’ Up
Junior Cris Carroll’s offensive production has skyrocketed over the last seven contests. Carroll averaged 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and shot 51.2 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from 3-point range. He also posted a career-high 24 points with three 3-pointers in the Penguins’ 73-69 win over Green Bay.

Penguins Dialing Up From Deep
Over the last 12 games, Youngstown State has taken advantage of the 3-point line. The Penguins have made 118 3-pointers over that span for an average of 9.8 3-pointers made per game.

Fly High Ty
Fifth-year senior Ty Harper showcased his offensive prowess recently. Harper averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game over the last six games. He shot 52.9 percent from the field and made 16 3-pointers.

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last five seasons. The Penguins have won 29 of the last 38 overall at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. YSU has won 71 games at home since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 71-24 mark during that time. Youngstown State is 34-9 at home since the start of the 2022-23 season. The Penguins are 28-7 in their last 35 regular-season home games.

Guins in the HL
Youngstown State has been on quite a run during league play over the last three-plus seasons. The Penguins own a record of 48-24 in Horizon League play since the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Youngstown State went 12-9 in 2021-22, 15-5 in 2022-23, 14-6 in 2023-24, and is currently 7-4 in 2024-25.

COURTESY YOUNGSTOWN STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS