George Washington dropped its opening game, with a 80-73 loss at the hands of the Horizon League's Youngstown State, who pulled away in the final minute to notch their first win of the season.
After an 11-point halftime deficit, the Colonials turned it on in the second half and tied the game with a minute to go on a transition dunk by Isaiah Armwood. But GW ran out of steam and the Penguins scored nine points in the final minute to secure the victory.
Youngstown State was led a strong bench performance, scoring 31 bench points to GW's 22. Forward Bobby Hain scored 19 from the bench and added 11 rebounds, the only player in the game with a double-double. Fellow bench mate D.J. Cole added 12 points and three assists.
The Penguins were better on defense, too, amassing eight steals and five blocks, while forcing GW into 14 turnovers. Led by Hain's 11 rebounds, Youngstown State won the rebounding war, grabbing 43 to GW's 34, and also won the offensive glass 12-9.