YSU PREVIEW Today’s game

YSU MEN (3-7)
vs. SLIPPERY ROCK (2-8)

When: 2:05 p.m.
Where: Beeghly Center
Radio/TV: WKBN-AM (570); WYFX-TV (17/62) (tape delayed)
Coaches: YSU’s Jerry Slocum (Kings College, N.Y.) is 24-45 in his third season with the Penguins; Jamal Palmer (Millersville) is 7-30 in his second season with The Rock.
YSU starters: Byron Davis, 6-2 senior guard (14.6 points per game, 1.9 rebounds); John Barber, 6-7 senior forward (12.6 ppg., 5.8); Vance Cooksey, 6-0, redshirt freshman guard (8.2 ppg., 3.1); Jack Liles, 6-7, junior forward (11.9 ppg., 5.7); Vytas Sulskis, 6-7 freshman guard (5.9. ppg, 3.0)
Slippery Rock starters: Darnell Johnson, 6-2, junior; Jamar Scales, 6-3 junior; Cory Somerville 6-6 freshman; Erroll Robinson, 6-1 junior; Jade Burka, 6-6 freshman.
Notebook: The Penguins’ losing streak has hit five games and tonight’s game is the final contest before Horizon League play begins full time Jan. 3. The Penguins’ last effort against Akron was not one of their best, falling behind early again and they never got closer than 10 points in the second half. Junior Jack Liles led the Penguins with 16 points against the Zips, while seniors John Barber and Byron Davis were also in double figures, but the veteran trio got little help from anyone else. Slippery Rock comes into the contest having lost four straight, including a 75-63 loss to Ashland in their last outing. The Rock’s two wins have come against Roberts Wesleyan (84-79) and Glenville State (103-95 in overtime). Johnson leads the way for The Rock and he also set a PSAC record in the Glenville State game when he recorded 22 assists. Slippery Rock is 0-6 on the road this season.
Series: This will be the 26th meeting between the two teams with YSU holding a 17-8 advantage. The Penguins won last year’s meeting 95-57. The series began in 1931 and the teams have met 12 times at Beeghly Center with the Penguins holding an 11-1 mark. Slippery Rock’s only win at Beeghly came in 1989-90 in the season opener 96-90.
Next up: The Penguins will begin play in the Horizon League Jan. 3 when they play host to Illinois-Chicago at Beeghly Center. The game will be the nightcap of a doubleheader at 7:35, with the YSU women and UIC meeting in the opener at 5:15.

Pete Mollica