YSU BASKETBALL Today’s game

WOMEN

YSU (12-15, 7-9)

vs. LOYOLA (6-21, 4-12)

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Joseph J. Gentile Center, Chicago.

Radio/TV: None.

Coaches: Tisha Hill (Indiana) is 43-96 in her fifth season with the Penguins. Shannon Reidy (Lake Forest) is 17-67 in her third season with the Ramblers.

YSU starters: Jessica Schloemp, 6-3 senior (6.8 points per game, 7.4 rebounds); Tiara Scott, 6-0 junior (12.7 ppg, 6.4); Lauren Branson, 5-6 senior (4.7 ppg, 2.7); Velissa Vaughn, 5-9 junior (8.6 ppg. 1.5); Heather Karner, 5-10 senior (13.6 ppg. 4.1).

Loyola starters: Brittany Boeke, 6-2 freshman (8.7 ppg. 5.7); Shannon Finnegan, 6-3 sophomore (4.6 ppg. 3.3); Keisha Collins, 5-6 sophomore (10.6 ppg. 4.1); Maggie McCloskey, 5-5 sophomore (11.6 ppg. 2.1); Jessica Hylton, 5-10 sophomore (7.9 ppg. 4.7).

Game notes: The Penguins have lost three straight, all at home in the Horizon League. The Penguins have dropped from the upper half of the standings to the lower half into seventh place. The good news is that the Penguins can’t fall much lower and will definitely host a first-round play-in game for the conference tournament on March 10. The Penguins suffered a 70-59 loss to Valparaiso in their last outing on Saturday at Beeghly. YSU had beaten the Crusaders 92-79 in their first meeting in Valparaiso, probably their best contest of the season. The Penguins play their final two regular season games on the road. Senior Heather Karner continues to lead the YSU attack, while junior Tiara Scott is the only other player averaging in double figures. Senior Jessica Schloemp is ranked second in the league in rebounding, averaging 7.4 per contest. Loyola comes into the contest on a four-game losing streak, including a 47-45 loss at home to last-place Detroit on Saturday. The Ramblers are averaging just 59.2 points a game this season, but they also have a starting lineup of four sophomores and a freshman.

Series: The Penguins beat Loyola 70-58 on Jan. 5 in Youngstown, but the Penguins are just 4-8 all-time against the Ramblers. The teams have split their series the last three years in a row with each team winning at home. The Ramblers won the first six meetings the first three seasons the Penguins were members of the Horizon League.

Next up: The Penguins will play their final regular season home contest on Saturday at Illinois-Chicago in a 4 p.m. tip off in Chicago.

Pete Mollica