Youngstown St. 86, Cent. Michigan 75

Feb 23, 2014, 10:08 pm

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Blake Allen and Kamren Belin scored 20 points apiece and DJ Cole posted his first career double-double as hot-shooting Youngstown State took control early in its 86-75 nonconference win over Central Michigan on Saturday night.

Cole had 12 points and a season-high 12 assists for the Penguins (16-12), whose only other victory in six games against the Chippewas came in 2006.

Youngstown State, of the Horizon League, scored 14 unanswered points to turn a 5-2 deficit into an 11-point lead. The Penguins shot 69.2 percent (18 of 26) en route to a 45-27 halftime lead.

After Youngstown State pushed the lead to 24 points, Central Michigan closed to 68-61 with 5:28 left, but could get no closer.

Allen posted a season high on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4 of 7 3-pointers.

Chris Fowler scored 19 points to lead the Chippewas (9-17), of the Mid-American Conference, who have lost nine straight.