YSU BASKETBALL Today’s games

MEN

YSU (3-6) vs. AKRON (8-2)

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Rhodes Arena in Akron

Radio: WKBN-AM (570)

Coaches: YSU’s Jerry Slocum (Kings College, N.Y.) is 24-44 in his third season with the Penguins; Keith Dambrot (Akron) is 76-29 in his fourth season with the Zips.

YSU starters: Byron Davis, 6-2 senior guard (14.7 points per game, 2.1 rebounds); John Barber, 6-7 senior forward (12.7 ppg., 5.8); Vance Cooksey, 6-0, redshirt freshman guard (8.3 ppg., 3.2); Jack Liles, 6-7, junior forward (11.4 ppg., 5.3); Vytas Sulskis, 6-7 freshman guard (5.8. ppg, 3.2).

Akron starters: Jeremiah Wood, 6-6 senior (14.4 ppg. 9.2); Chris McKnight. 6-7 sophomore (4.4 ppg. 2.7); Nate Linhart, 6-7 junior (5.0 ppg. 3.6); Cedrick Middleton, 6-0 senior (11.8 ppg. 2.7); Nick Davis, 6-1 senior (12.2 ppg. 2.0).

Game notes: The Penguins are on a four-game losing streak and have lost three five of their last six. They’ve been in most of the games, but have had spells that have put them in a big hole and they’ve been unable to dig out. In their most recent game, a 74-71 loss at home to Robert Morris, the Penguins had five players in double figures, led by Byron Davis with 20 points. Akron comes into the contest on a three-game winning streak including an 88-70 win over North Carolina A&T on Wednesday night. They had a 64-55 win at Austin Peay in their previous outing. The Zips are 5-0 at home this season and have dominated their opponents in the first half of action outscoring them 395-to-284 over the first 20 minutes.

Series: This series began back in 1937 and with be the 85th meeting with Akron holding a commanding 52-32 advantage. Akron has won the last two meetings: 70-61 last year at YSU and a 67-62 win at Akron in 2005-06. YSU’s last win in the series came in 1994-95 when the Penguins won 69-53 at Beeghly Center. The Zips have won 13 of the last 14 meetings.

Next up: The Penguins will be idle until Dec. 29 when they play host to Slippery Rock in a 2:05 p.m. tip off at Beeghly Center.

WOMEN

YSU (4-6) at AKRON (5-5)

When: 5:30 p.m.

Where: Rhodes Arena in Akron

Radio: WKBN-AM (570)

Coaches: Tisha Hill (Indiana) is 35-86 in her fifth season with the Penguins. Jodi Kest (Slippery Rock) is 15-24 in her second season with the Zips.

YSU starters: Jessica Schloemp, 6-3 senior (6.5 points per game, 7.4 rebounds); Ashley Pendleton, 6-0 junior (8.9 ppg, 5.3); Lauren Branson, 5-6 senior (5.9 ppg, 2.0); Kelsey Gurganus, 5-10 junior (7.4 ppg, 3.1); Heather Karner, 5-10 senior (11.9 ppg, 5.5).

Akron starters: Sarah Tokodi, 5-9 sophomore (15.6 ppg. 4.7); Kara Murphy, 5-8 freshman (13.1 ppg. 4.8); Lauren Stephenson, 6-0 junior (3.3 ppg. 4.6); Riana Miller, 6-3 sophomore (9.5 ppg. 4.6); Keyla Snowden, 5-7 freshman (12.7 ppg. 1.8).

Game notes: Youngstown State has been struggling, losing three straight, and the Penguins have been really struggling in the second half. They are coming off a 84-50 loss to nationally ranked Ohio State in Columbus on Wednesday and tonight’s game will be their final tune-up before opening Horizon League play on Jan. 3. Again the Penguins played well against the Buckeyes, trailing only by 10 points at intermission. Akron has won two straight including an 81-76 win at home against Houston. The Zips are 2-0 at home this year.

Series: The Penguins hold the overall series lead with the Zips 33-12, but Akron defeated the Penguins 66-58 last year in Youngstown. YSU won at Akron in 2005-06 posting a 58-50 victory.

Next up: The Penguins are now idle until they open Horizon League play on Jan. 3 at home against Illinois-Chicago in a 5:15 p.m. tip off. It will be a doubleheader with the YSU men taking on the UIC men in the nightcap at 7:35 p.m.

Pete Mollica