YSU BASKETBALL | Today’s games
YSU (9-18) vs.
BUFFALO (8-17)
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Alumni Arena, Buffalo, N.Y.
Radio/TV: WKBN-AM 570.
Coaches: YSU’s Jerry Slocum (Kings College, N.Y.) is 30-56 in his third season with the Penguins; Reggie Witherspoon is 103-156 in nine seasons with the Bulls.
YSU starters: Byron Davis, 6-2 senior guard (15 points per game, 2.9 rebounds); John Barber, 6-7 senior forward (13.4 ppg., 6.9); Vance Cooksey, 6-0 freshman guard (6.1 ppg., 2.3; Jack Liles, 6-8 junior forward (9.1 ppg., 4.5); Vytas Sulskis, 6-7 freshman guard (9.1. ppg, 4.4).
Buffalo starters: Andy Robinson, 6-1 junior (12.8 ppg. 2.4); Rodney Pierce, 6-2 sophomore (8.0 ppg. 2.9); Greg Gamble, 6-4 junior (7.5 ppg. 4.2); Calvin Betts, 6-3 sophomore (8.9 ppg. 7); Max Boudreau, 6-7 sophomore (6.4 ppg. 3.3).
Game notes: The Penguins snapped a three-game losing streak with a 76-73 victory at home against UW-Green Bay on Wednesday night. The Penguins shot an outstanding 61 percent from the 3-point line including making 7-of-8 in the second half. Senior Byron Davis led the way with 23 points, while freshman Vytas Sulskis had 20, all in the first half when he made his first six shots of the contest. Senior John Barber finished with 19 points and now is just 30 points shy of reaching 1,000 points for his career at YSU. Buffalo comes into the contest on a three-game losing streak. The Bulls lost their last outing against Kent State 76-66 in Buffalo. The Bulls have five of their eight wins at home this season. They average 70 points a game, but are giving up 75 points and shooting 40 percent from the field. The Bulls also average 38 rebounds a contest.
The Series: The Penguins haven’t played the Bulls since the 2003-04 season. They lead the overall series 13-10, 12 of those games came when both were members of the Mid-Continent Conference and Buffalo held a 8-4 advantage. The Bulls won the last meeting in 2003-Wright State and have beaten the Penguins seven straight in Buffalo. YSU’s last win was in 2002-03 in Youngstown, 63-48.
Next up: The Penguins will close out the regular season next Saturday when they play host to Cleveland State in a 7:05 p.m. tip-off at Beeghly Center. The game is the second of a doubleheader with the YSU women meeting Valparaiso in the opener at 4:35.
WOMEN
YSU (12-12, 7-6)
vs. CLEVELAND STATE (14-10, 8-5)
When: 2:05 p.m.
Where: Beeghly Center.
Radio/TV: WKBN-AM (570); WYFX Fox 17-62 (midnight, taped).
Coaches: Tisha Hill (Indiana) is 43-93 in her fifth season with the Penguins. Kate Peterson Ablad is 42-97 in her fifth season with the Vikings.
YSU starters: Jessica Schloemp, 6-3 senior (6.4 points per game, 7.3 rebounds); Tiara Scott, 6-0 junior (13.4 ppg, 6.6); Lauren Branson, 5-6 senior (5.2 ppg, 2.8); Velissa Vaughn, 5-9 junior (7.4 ppg, 1.4); Heather Karner, 5-10 senior (13.5 ppg, 4.4).
Cleveland State starters: Dominique Butler, 5-9 junior (9.9 ppg. 5.8); Robyn Hoying, 6-0 senior (5.8 ppg. 3.8); Angel Roque, 5-4 sophomore (6 ppg. 1.9); Brittany Korth, 5-10 senior (9 ppg. 4.7); Kailey KIlein, 5-11 sophomore (19 ppg. 5.5).
Game notes: Youngstown State is on a two game winning streak and the Penguins begin a critical three-game home stand today with the Vikings. The Penguins swept their first road trip of the season last weekend with victories over Detroit (62-59) and Wright State (66-58). The Penguins shot 50 percent from the field and had four players in double figures against Wright State. Senior Heather Karner and junior Tiara Scott have led the way and both are averaging over 13 points a game. Senior Jessica Schloemp ranks third in the Horizon League with 7.3 rebounds per contest. YSU head coach Tisha Hill says this is a pivotal game for the Penguins. “We’re playing better now then the last time we played them,” Hill said. “Our kids know what this game is all about.” Cleveland State has been struggling of late losing its last three games, but the Vikings are still in second place in the league standings, a game ahead of the Penguins. Sophomore Kailey Klein leads the Vikings averaging 19 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Series: The Penguins who lost 77-64 to the Vikings back on Jan. 26 hold a 30-17 advantage in the overall series, but the Vikings have won the last two meetings. The Penguins are 17-4 at home against the Vikings and haven’t lost at Beeghly Center to them since the 2004 season when the Vikings posted a 56-51 win.
Next up: The Penguins will continue at home next Thursday when they play host to Butler in a 7:05 p.m.-tip off at Beeghly Center.
Pete Mollica