YSU PREVIEW | BASKETBALL

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Who: YSU (2-6) vs. James Madison (2-4)When: Today, 7:35 p.m.Where: Beeghly CenterRadio/TV: WNIO-AM 1390; WYFX (17/62) (10:30 p.m.)Coaches: Jerry Slocum is in his first season at YSU (2-6) with a career record of 582-331 in 31 seasons; Dean Keener is in his second season with the Dukes with an 8-26 overall record.Series: This is the first meeting.YSU starters: Quin Humphrey, 6-4 junior guard (17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists); Keston Roberts, 6-4 junior guard (15.0, 2.8, 1.7); Derrick Harris, 6-2, senior guard (8.3, 3.6, 5.1); Colin LaForme, 6-10 sophomore forward (3.6, 3.6, 1.0); John Barber, 6-6 sophomore forward (8.9, 6.0, 1.5).James Madison starters: Jomo Belfor, 6-0 sophomore guard (10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists); Daniel Freeman, 6-0 senior guard (11.0, 3.0, 1.7); Juwann James, 6-6 freshman forward (14.2, 8.0, 1.2); Ray Barbosa, 6-2, junior guard (13.2, 1.5, 2.0); Cavell Johnson, 6-8 junior forward (11.5, 8.7, 1.5).Game notes: The Penguins snapped a five game losing streak last Saturday with a 72-51 victory over Duquesne. Junior guard Quin Humphrey had his fourth double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds and was named Horizon League player of the week. Junior guard Keston Roberts had 24 points in the win and has been in double figures six of the eight games this year. Slocum praised Humphrey: "We've been competitive this season because he has played so well." Humphrey leads the Horizon League in scoring (17.9) and is second in rebounding (8.8) per game. James Madison comes into the game on a three-game losing streak. The Dukes dropped their last outing on Dec. 11 to LaSalle, 70-58. They are 0-1 on the road this year. Their two wins were over Northeastern, 86-83, and Appalachian State, 81-79, in two overtimes.Next up: The Penguins begin a three-game road trip on Dec. 28 at Siena in an 8 p.m. tip-off. It is their final non-conference game before Horizon League play begins on Dec. 31 at Illinois-Chicago.
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Who: YSU (3-7) vs. Coppin State (1-5)When: Today, 5:15 p.m.Where: Beeghly CenterRadio/TV: WNIO-AM (1390); WYFX (17/62) (Thursday, 12:30 a.m.)Coaches: Tisha Hill is in her third season with the Penguins, with an overall record of 19-47. Derek Brown is in his seventh season with the Eagles and has a career record of 88-82.The series: This is the first meeting between the two teams.YSU starters: Lauren Branson, 5-6 sophomore guard (5.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists); Ashlee Russo, 5-7, senior guard (7.9, 3.8, 1.8); Kristy Gaudiose, 5-7 junior guard (9.4, 3.4, 1.3); Michelle Holmes, 6-2 senior center (8.5, 3.7, 1.1); Jessica Schloemp, 6-3 sophomore forward (8.8, 5.0, 0.0)Coppin State starters: Sherrie Tucker, 5-10 senior forward (11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists); Rashida Suber, 5-8 junior guard (10.2, 4.5, 1.9); Tamieka Noel, 5-9 junior guard (3.5, 2.8, 0.7); Whitney Cunningham, 6-3, freshman center (3.2, 6.3, 0.0); Tanezia Harden, 6-3 freshman forward (3.7, 2.7, 0.5)Game notes: The Penguins snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with a 58-50 victory over Akron behind a 20 point effort from junior guard Kristy Gaudiose and 14 points from senior guard Ashlee Russo and some good defense and foul shooting. The Penguins are 1-2 at home this season, 2-5 on the road. Senior Michelle Holmes came up with her first career double-double against the Zips with 11 points and 10 rebounds while coming off the bench. Coppin State comes into the contest on a three-game losing streak. Those losses were against James Madison 63-39, Maryland 69-38 and Wake Forest 80-51. The Eagles only win came at Morgan State 55-37. They have been held under 50 points four times and twice under 40 points.Next up: The Penguins will begin Horizon League play on Dec. 29 when they travel to Butler for a 7 p.m. contest and their final game in 2005 will be Dec. 31 at Wright State in a 1:05 p.m. start.
Pete Mollica