Penguins win regular-season finale

YSU used a strong
performance from the line to beat Illinois-Chicago, 71-62.

VINDICATOR STAFF/WIRE REPORT

CHICAGO — The Youngstown State women’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak Saturday in their regular season finale against Illinois-Chicago.

The Penguins (13-16, 8-10 Horizon League) connected on 28 of 32 free throws on their way to a 71-62 victory over the Flames at the UIC Pavilion.

The win enabled YSU head coach Tisha Hill, who announced her resignation on Friday effective at the end of the season, to reach career highs for wins in the regular season and the Horizon League. Her best previous win total was 12 back in 2004-05, the same year she won six league contests.

The Penguins now begin play in the Horizon League tournament on Monday when they will play host to Detroit in one of two tournament play-in games.

The Penguins are the No. 7 seed while the Titans are No. 10. YSU has already beaten Detroit twice this season. The winner will advance to the tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday at No. 2 seed Wright State.

The Penguins did not shoot very well from the field against the Flames, but they more than made up for it from the foul line.

YSU shot 34.8 percent for the game from the field, but shot just 23.8 percent in the first half, yet still held a 31-21 lead at intermission.

Senior Heather Karner paced the Penguins with 23 points, including five of the team’s seven 3-point goals. Tiara Scott added 15 points and Ashley Pendleton scored 14. Jessie Miller led UIC (10-19, 6-12) with 21 points.

The Penguins trailed early in the contest, but battled back and finally took the lead 21-19 on a 3-pint shot by junior Toni Roscoe with 3:30 remaining in the half.

The Penguins finished the half on a 10-2 run to pull ahead 31-21 at intermission.

The Penguins maintained their lead throughout most of the second half until the Flames finally came back to pull ahead 54-53 with 5:39 remaining.

Karner’s 3-point shot put the Penguins back on top 56-54, but Briana Hinkle gave UIC the lead again 58-56 with 3:57 left.

YSU then went on an 11-2 run to pull back on top 67-60.

The Penguins made their final nine free throw attempts and finished 18-of-20 from the line in the second half.

They were outrebounded by the Flames 37-35 and committed 17 turnovers.