YSU WOMEN Seniors face final contest at home

Ashlee Russo, Michelle Holmes and Aliyah Sabree play Loyola on Thursday.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State women's basketball senior standout Ashlee Russo knows that Thursday night's final regular-season game is going to be an emotional one.
The 5-foot-7-inch guard from Boardman along with senior teammates Michelle Holmes and Aliyah Sabree could be playing their final game at Beeghly Center when the Penguins play host to Loyola in a Horizon League contest at 7:05 p.m.
"It's definitely going to be an emotional night," Russo said, "but it is one where you have to try and keep your feelings off to the side. The toughest part will be stepping off the court for the final time."
The Penguins find themselves in almost a win-win situation going into Thursday's finale.
Currently in eighth place
YSU is 7-19, 3-12 in the Horizon and holds down eighth place in the standings, a half game behind Loyola, which is 3-11. A YSU victory would move the Penguins into seventh place. Depending on Loyola's season finale against league-leading UW-Milwaukee, the Penguins would finish seventh or eighth.
If they finish seventh, it would mean a quarterfinal game at No. 2 seed UW-Green Bay, which has beaten the Penguins twice this year -- 74-49 at YSU and 81-69 in Green Bay.
If the Penguins finish eighth, they would host the league's play-in game between the No. 8 and No. 9 [Cleveland State] teams on Feb. 28. That winner would move on to the quarterfinals to play at Milwaukee.
YSU is the league's designated host school for the league's semifinals and finals, but the Penguins have to win in the quarterfinals in order to host the semis.
"We are focusing on winning Thursday and going to Green Bay," Russo said.
Battled through injuries
Russo, who has had to battle through numerous injuries in her four seasons with the Penguins, has been having an outstanding senior year.
She carries a 10.7 average, second on the team. In the Penguins' last nine games, she is averaging 12.4 points and shooting 52.9 percent from the floor.
YSU head coach Tisha Hill is aware of the Penguins' situation going into the final game.
"Our kids aren't thinking that far ahead," Hill said. "They're thinking we didn't beat Loyola at their place and if you don't get that first win you definitely want to get the second one."
"We didn't play very well up in Chicago and we've got something to prove on Thursday," Hill said. "It's going to be an emotional night, saying good-bye to three outstanding senior leaders.
"We are approaching this game like we do every game because in February every game is an important one," Hill said. "We can't worry about what's at stake or what's not at stake."
"I know that our seniors are going to carry their load on Thursday, but now it's up to some of the others to step up their games and help out," she said.
mollica@vindy.com