AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Youngstown State women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance Sunday afternoon, cruising to a 90-63 victory over the Akron Zips at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Penguins, who improved to 5-2 on the season, seized control of the game early and never looked back, using a dominant third-quarter surge to put the contest out of reach against a winless Akron squad that fell to 0-7.

Youngstown State set the tone from the opening tip, racing out to a 22-9 lead after the first quarter. The offensive engine was powered by a balanced and efficient attack, with the Penguins establishing a significant presence in the paint that would last the entire game. They finished with a commanding 50-26 advantage in points scored near the basket.

The Penguins’ lead grew to 38-24 by halftime, but the true knockout blow came in the third period. Youngstown State erupted for 34 points, nearly matching Akron’s total output for the entire first half. The offensive explosion stretched the lead to an insurmountable 72-47 margin heading into the final quarter, allowing the Penguins to comfortably manage the game the rest of the way.

Sophia Gregory, a 6-foot-2 forward from Alliance, Ohio, led all scorers with a game-high 24 points. She was a force on both ends of the floor, adding two assists and two blocks in 30 minutes of action. Her efficiency around the rim was a key component of Youngstown State’s interior dominance.

She was far from alone, however, as four other Penguins finished in double figures. Sarah Baker, a 6-foot-2 forward from Florence, Kentucky, provided a strong inside presence with 16 points. The backcourt duo of Erica King, a hometown product from Akron, and Casey Santoro each contributed 14 points, with King dishing out a team-high five assists. Hayden Barrier came off the bench to add 12 points, showcasing the depth of the Youngstown State roster.

Defensively, Paulina Hernandez made her presence felt despite scoring only five points. The 6-foot-2 forward from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, swatted away four Akron shots, helping to disrupt the Zips’ offensive rhythm.

Akron, still searching for its first win, was led by Izzy Callaway who came off the bench to score 11 points. Corinne Reed and Maddie Vejsicky each added 10 points for the Zips, who struggled to find consistent scoring against a stout Penguins defense. Youngstown State also capitalized on its defensive pressure, scoring 11 points off Akron turnovers.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 954 at the Zips’ home arena.

With the non-conference victory secured, Youngstown State looks ahead to Horizon League play, beginning a two-game road trip at Milwaukee on Friday, Dec. 5. Akron will attempt to secure its first win of the season when it returns to action at home against Heidelberg on Wednesday, Dec. 3.