Men's basketball

Men's basketball
Who: Youngstown State (0-1) vs. Slippery Rock (1-1).
When: Today, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Beeghly Center.
Radio/TV: WNIO-AM (1390); WYFX-TV 17/62 (tape delay at midnight).
Coaches: Jerry Slocum is in his first season at YSU (0-1) with a career record of 580-326 in 31 seasons; John Marhefka is in his third season at Slippery Rock (23-57) and has a five-year career record of 36-72.
Series: This is the 22nd meeting between the teams with YSU holding a 13-8 advantage. Last year, the Penguins defeated The Rock 78-60 at Beeghly Center.
YSU starters: John Barber, 6-6, sophomore, forward (7 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist); Colin LaForme, 6-10, sophomore, forward, (2, 3, 0); Quin Humphrey, 6-4, junior guard, (11, 4, 3); Keston Roberts, 6-4, junior, guard (14, 1, 1); Derrick Harris, 6-2, senior guard (7, 2, 4).
Slippery Rock starters: Matt Hale, 5-9, freshman guard (15.5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists); Matt Schaefer, 6-3, freshman guard (9, 5.5, 6); Dejan Jancic, 6-11, senior center (7.5, 5, 1.5); Brandon Thompson, 6-4, sophomore guard (5.5, 4, 1); Erroll Robinson, 6-3, freshman guard (2, 4.5, 2).
Game notes: The Penguins dropped their season opener Saturday at St. Francis, Pa., 71-58. It was the Red Flash's third game, while the first for the young Penguins. YSU trailed by 13 at halftime, but cut the lead to five points early in the second half before St. Francis went on a 13-0 run. "We need to do everything better than we did on Saturday," Slocum said. "This is the first home game for the players and for me so it is something special for all of us." Slippery Rock is 1-1 losing its home opener to Ohio Valley 72-68, but rebounded Monday to defeat West Virginia Wesleyan 54-50 also at home. The Rock also had an exhibition contest at Pittsburgh, losing 100-42. Slippery Rock has lost eight straight contests to the Penguins since the series resumed in 1997. All of them at Beeghly.
Next up: The Penguins go back on the road Saturday when they visit Akron in a 5 p.m. tip-off at Rhodes Arena.