Penguin seniors in home finale

Four men and two women will play their final games tonight at Beeghly Center.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State will say farewell to six senior basketball players who will be playing in their final games at Beeghly Center tonight.
The men and women play a doubleheader tonight with the women (4-22, 2-13 Horizon League) taking on Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 5:15, while the men (8-18, 4-11 Horizon) play host to Detroit at 7:35.
The men will bid farewell to four senior players, only three of which have played this season. Senior Jamal Porter, who transferred to YSU in 2002-03 and played in 25 games last year (starting eight), was forced to sit out this season with a career-ending injury.
Three men will play
Seniors Adam Baumann, TeJay Anderson and Bill Mallernee will all play their final home game tonight.
The 6-foot-8 Baumann, a junior college transfer from Yavapai (Ariz.) Junior College, has been a mainstay for two seasons.
Baumann has led the team in rebounding both seasons and averaged in double figures both years while being named to the Horizon League's all-newcomer team a year ago.
The 6-6 Anderson, from Dorchester, Mass., has been a regular since his freshman season, averaging nine points per game. Tonight will be his 106th game in a Penguins' jersey.
Mallernee was a walk-on three years ago after transferring to YSU from Capital. The 6-6 forward from Sugarcreek has been a big help off the bench for the Penguins and this season is averaging just under five points a game.
"They're all going to be missed," said YSU coach John Robic. "They've helped us make the adjustment into the Horizon League.
"I know I'm going to miss them, we've become close over the years."
Forsythe, Novak in final
The YSU women have two senior players -- 5-11 forward Jessica Forsythe and 5-10 guard Devin Novak.
Forsythe, from New Cumberland, W.Va., has been a two-year starter and the team's leading rebounder this season. She is averaging five points and seven rebounds per game.
"Jessica just gives you 100 percent effort each and every day she's out there," said first-year YSU coach Tisha Hill.
Novak, from Franklin, Pa., is probably the best pure shooter on the squad. This season against nationally-ranked Clemson she set a school record by making seven 3-point goals.
Following tonight's contest both teams will get ready for the Horizon League tournament, which begins on Tuesday.
The women are slated to play at Wright State, while the men will begin first-round action at Butler.
mollica@vindy.com