YSU set for two battles at home

Wisconsin-Green Bay comes into tonight's game with a 16-game winning streak.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State women's basketball coach Tisha Hill has worked hard to get the Penguins headed in the right direction.
The next two opponents will give Hill a good idea of just how far the Penguins have progressed.
Youngstown State (7-15, 5-6 Horizon League) plays host tonight to nationally-ranked Wisconsin-Green Bay at 7:05 at Beeghly Center. The Phoenix (19-3, 10-0 HL) are ranked No. 24 by USA Today/ESPN and was No. 25 in the Associated Press poll last week.
Green Bay comes in tonight's game with a 16-game winning streak that includes an 83-49 victory over the Penguins Jan. 20. The Phoenix will tie a school record for consecutive wins with a victory tonight.
Then Saturday, Youngstown State plays host to Wisconsin-Milwaukee (11-12, 7-3) the third-place team in the Horizon League.
Formidable teams
"We've got two of the league's top teams coming in here this week and it's exciting," said Hill. "You can just sense the excitement at practice.
"Right now our players are just going out there and playing. They are not thinking about what they are supposed to be doing because we're to the point now that we know.
"We have a lot more confidence right now and we're going to need it this week," she said.
Hill knows what the Penguins will be going up against.
"You have to hope that Green Bay comes in here and is not on its game," she said.
"I told our team that they have to leave it all out on the floor against them, and that it's going to take a whole team effort," Hill said. "Our intensity must be there."
Hill said she's been pleased with the progress the players have made throughout the season.
"I still look at Lauren [Branson] and Jessica [Schloemp] because of the leadership that they shown all season long," she said.
Branson, Schloemp sparkle
Branson leads the team in assists (3.9 per game), steals (1.6) and free throw percentage (85 percent, 34-of-40), while Schloemp is first in rebounds (5.0) and fourth in scoring (5.8).
"These kids are getting more comfortable with one another, but they've got to play a great pressure defense against Green Bay," said Hill.
"Green Bay has always been the team to beat in this conference," she added. "It's great motivation for our team."
Saturday's game against UW-Milwaukee will be part of a doubleheader. The women will play the opener at 2:05 p.m. and the YSU men will meet Eastern Kentucky in an ESPN Bracket Buster game at 4:30.
mollica@vindy.com