ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — In a methodical road performance, the Youngstown State women’s basketball team secured a 64-50 victory over Mercyhurst on Thursday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The Penguins improved to 4-1 on the young season, while the Lakers remained winless at 0-4.

Youngstown State never trailed, establishing control early with a 16-point first quarter and maintaining a steady lead throughout the contest. The Penguins led 31-24 at halftime and weathered a third-quarter push from the Lakers, who outscored them 18-16 in the period to narrow the gap. Any hopes of a Mercyhurst comeback were extinguished in the final frame, as the Youngstown State defense clamped down, holding the home team to just eight points in the fourth quarter.

The Penguins were led by a dominant backcourt duo. Casey Santoro, a 5-foot-4 guard from Bellevue, Ohio, poured in a game-high 21 points in 39 minutes of action. She was complemented by Erica King of Akron, Ohio, who added 19 points. The pair’s scoring proved too much for the Lakers to overcome.

Mercyhurst was led by Lena Walz, an Erie native who scored 16 points, and Jenna Van Schaik of Cincinnati, who contributed 12 points and dished out five assists.

The game was characterized by its pace and physicality, with both teams committing numerous turnovers and fouls, particularly in a disjointed first quarter. Youngstown State’s consistency across all four quarters, scoring between 15 and 17 points in each, ultimately proved to be the difference.

Youngstown State will look to continue its strong start when it hosts Toledo on Tuesday. Mercyhurst seeks its first win on the road Sunday at Iowa State.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 332.