COLLEGE BASKETBALL YSU women face tough road

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team will encounter a demanding nonconference schedule prior to entering its first season in the Horizon League.
YSU, which posted a 10-18 record last season, must play 10 of its first 16 games on the road, including nine straight, according to Coach Ed DiGregorio, who announced the schedule Monday.
They will meet five teams from the Mid-American Conference and four from the Mid-Continent Conference before opening Horizon League play.
"This is a tough schedule for us," said DiGregorio, who is 301-203 in 18 seasons at YSU.
"We play some excellent teams, and being on the road for more than a month is a big disadvantage for us. But I know our kids will work hard and will show up every night."
First two home: YSU's first two games of the season are at Beeghly Center against MAC members Bowling Green on Nov. 17 and Kent State on Nov. 24. Both contests will begin at 7 p.m.
Over the next five weeks, the Penguins have nine straight road engagements, including games against MAC members Akron, Buffalo and Toledo; Mid-Con members Chicago State, Western Illinois, Valparaiso and Oakland; and Northeast Conference's Robert Morris.
"The one nice thing about all the travel we will be doing is the proximity of the opponents," DiGregorio said. "Most of the trips we'll be taking by bus."