Penguin schedule features OSU date

The YSU women’s basketball team faces plenty of tough teams this winter.

YOUNGSTOWN —Four postseason teams, three 20-game winners, opponents from the Big Ten and Big East conferences, eight doubleheaders with the YSU men’s team and a renewed rivalry with a rival from a former league highlight the 2007-08 Youngstown State women’s basketball schedule.

The Penguins open the campaign at Buffalo Nov. 11 and at Niagara Nov. 13. After a 10-day hiatus, YSU will play in the LIU Turkey Classic Nov. 24-25 with host and WNIT participant Long Island, who went 22-9 last season, NCAA Tournament qualifier Holy Cross and Albany.

Three of the next four games are in Beeghly Center, against Toledo Nov. 29, Central Michigan Dec. 5 and Miami (Ohio) Dec. 8. Those games are broken by a road game at St. Francis (Pa.) Dec. 1.

The Penguins also travel to Cincinnati Dec. 15, Ohio State Dec. 19 and Akron Dec. 21.

“We have assembled a very competitive schedule for the upcoming season,” said YSU coach Tisha Hill. “Having the opportunity to play teams like Cincinnati and Ohio State will give our players an edge competitively.”

YSU’s conference schedule is highlighted by two games against Horizon League newcomer Valparaiso, which was a rival of the Penguins in the Mid-Continent Conference.

The Penguins visit Valparaiso Jan. 31 and play host to the Crusaders March 1.

“With the addition of Valparaiso to the Horizon League, our conference just got tougher and, I think, more exciting for our fan base,” said Hill.

The Penguins open Horizon League play by playing host to Illinois-Chicago Jan. 3 and Loyola (Ill.) Jan. 5.