YSU BASKETBALL \ Today’s games

YSU MEN (8-17, 4-11)
vs. VALPARAISO (14-11, 5-8)

When: 8:05 p.m.
Where: Athletics-Recreation Center, Valparaiso, Ind.
Radio: WKBN-AM 570.
Coaches: YSU’s Jerry Slocum (Kings College, N.Y.) is 29-55 in his third season with the Penguins and 609-379 in 33 seasons overall; Homer Drew (William Jewell) is 316-251 in his 19th season at Valparaiso and 585-373 in 31 seasons overall.
YSU starters: Byron Davis, 6-2 senior (14.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game); John Barber, 6-7 senior (13.6, 7.1); Mikko Niemi, 6-2, junior (1, 1.5); Dwight Holmes, 6-6, senior (4.3, 2.1); Vytas Sulskis, 6-7 freshman (8.6, 4.6)
Valparaiso starters: Urule Igbavboa, 6-9 junior (9.7, 6.9); Shawn Huff, 6-7 senior (11.8, 4.8); Samuel Haanpaa, 6-8 sophomore (10, 3); Jarryd Loyd, 6-0 senior (11.4, 2.5); Jake Diebler 6-3 junior (4.3, 3).
Game notes: YSU has lost eight of its last nine games, the latest an 89-73 setback at No. 9-ranked Butler on Thursday. The Penguins shot 58 percent from the field (28-of-48) and held their own on the boards. But Butler shot 62 percent (33-of-53) and committed just seven turnovers. Davis led the Penguins with 20 points while Vance Cooksey added 15 off the bench. Sulskis finished with a team-high five rebounds. Valparaiso lost at home to Cleveland State on Thursday, 71-58. The Crusaders led 35-34 at halftime, but an eight-minute stretch without a basket cost them down the stretch. Igbavboa led Valparaiso with 14 points, while Huff added 13 points and seven rebounds. McPherson finished with 11 points and Loyd had seven assists.
Series: Valparaiso leads the series 17-7, including a 67-61 victory at Beeghly Center on Jan. 17.
Next up: The Penguins return home to face Wisconsin-Green Bay at Beeghly Center on Feb. 20 at 7:05 p.m.

YSU WOMEN (11-12, 6-6)
vs. WRIGHT STATE (10-12, 7-4)

When: 1 p.m.
Where: Nutter Center.
Radio/TV: None.
Coaches: Tisha Hill (Indiana) is 42-93 in her fifth season with the Penguins. Bridgett Williams (SIU-Carbondale) is 77-116 in her seventh season at Wright State and 87-162 in nine seasons overall.
YSU starters: Jessica Schloemp, 6-3 senior (6.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game); Tiara Scott, 6-0 junior (13.5, 6.7); Lauren Branson, 5-6 senior (4.7, 2.8); Velissa Vaughn, 5-9 junior (7.5, 1.3); Heather Karner, 5-10 senior (13.4, 4.4)
Wright State starters: LaShawna Thomas, 5-7 freshman (10.4 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game); Shey Peddy, 5-6 freshman (15.2, 4); Whitney Lewis, 6-0 senior (12.2, 5.2); Charne Dixon, 5-7 sophomore (1.4, 2.8); Erica Richardson, 6-1 sophomore (6.8, 3.2)
Game notes: Youngstown State snapped a three-game losing streak Thursday with a 62-59 victory at Detroit. Scott scored 22 points and Vaughn’s basket with 38 seconds remaining in the game gave the Penguins the lead for good. Karner added 12 points and shared game-high rebound honors (eight) with Scott. Wright State opened up a 17-point halftime lead and went on to defeat Cleveland State, 51-43, Thursday at the Nutter Center. Richardson led the Raiders with 14 points, while Lewis had 10 points and nine rebounds. Wright State forced CSU into 31 percent shooting (15-for-49) and 21 turnovers.
Series: The Penguins, who won 61-58 over Wright State on Jan. 17 at Beeghly Center, lead the all-time series 20-14.
Next up: The Penguins return to Beeghly Center to play Cleveland State on Feb. 23 at 2:05 p.m.

Vindicator staff report