YSU BASKETBALL \ Today’s games

MEN

Who: YSU (11-17, 7-10) at Valparaiso (8-21, 4-13). Tip-off: 8:05 p.m. at Athletics-Recreation Center, Valparaiso, Ind. Radio: WKBN-AM 570.SFlbCoaches: Jerry Slocum (Kings, N.Y. ‘75) is 41-75 in his fourth season with the Penguins and 621-401 all-time; Homer Drew (William Jewell, ‘66) is in his 20th season with the Crusaders with a record of 332-275. Earlier this season, Drew won his 600th career victory. In 32 seasons, he is 601-397. YSU starters: Tom Parks, 6-6 sophomore guard (4.3 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game); Jack Liles, 6-7 senior forward (8.3 ppg., 5.5 rpg); DeAndre Mays, 6-2 junior guard (11.1 ppg., 4.1 rpg.); Ashen Ward, 6-3 freshman guard (3.4 ppg., 1.2 rpg.); Sirlester Martin, 6-7 junior forward (9.4 ppg., 7.6 rpg.) Valparaiso starters: Urule Igbavboa, 6-8 senior forward (13.7 ppg., 6.1 rpg.); Cameron Witt, 6-9 freshman forward (3.4 ppg., 2.1 rpg.); Michael Rogers, 6-5 sophomore guard (9.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg.); Howard Little, 6-3 sophomore guard (10.6 ppg., 4.6 rpg.); Jake Diebler, 6-3 senior guard (8.6 ppg., 2.1 rpg.) Game notes: The Penguins head into their regular-season finale needing one victory to clinch a first-round home tournament game on Tuesday. The Penguins shot poorly on Thursday night while suffering a 78-57 loss to league leading Butler. The Penguins shot just 34.6 percent while the Bulldogs were shooting well more than 50 percent and clinching at least a tie for the league’s regular-season championship. Valparaiso comes into the contest following a 71-64 loss to Cleveland State at home. The Crusaders had defeated Akron on Feb. 21 in the ESPN BracketBuster game 74-66. Series: This will be the 27th meeting between the Penguins and Crusaders, but only the fourth since Valparaiso joined the Horizon League. Valparaiso holds a 19-7 advantage including a 68-57 win at Beeghly Center on Dec. 4. The Crusaders have won seven straight in the series. YSU’s last win at Valparaiso was in 1998, 69-66. Up next: The Penguins will begin Horizon League tournament play on Tuesday. The opponent and site will be announced on Sunday.

WOMEN

Who: YSU (2-24, 0-15) at UIC (13-13, 7-8). When: 8 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion, Chicago. Radio/TV: None. Coaches: Cindy Martin (Florida ’99) is in her first season with the Penguins and is 72-47 in her career. Lisa Ryckibodsch (Loyola, ‘84) is in her sixth season with the Flames and carries a record of 101-102. YSU probable starters: Macey Nortey, 5-foot-1 freshman guard (5.9. points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game); Kelsey Gurganus, 5-8 senior guard (6.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg.); Jaquetta Westley, 5-7 junior guard (7 ppg., 2.5 rpg.); Camisha Alexander, 5-5 freshman guard (5.3 ppg., 1.6 rpg.); Tiara Scott, 6-0 senior forward (8.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg.) UIC probable starters: Shanice Sadler, 5-11 sophomore forward (4.1 ppg., 2.4 rpg.); Jasmine Bailey, 5-8 freshman guard (10.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg.); Cassie Johnson, 6-2 junior center (5.9 ppg., 5.4 rpg.); Jessie Miller, 5-8 junior guard (12.6 ppg., 4.2 rpg.); Meghan Hutchens, 6-0 senior guard (7.3 ppg., 2.8 rpg.) Game notes: The Penguins are one loss away from their second school record this season. The Penguins suffered their 24th defeat on Thursday at Loyola, 70-52. That defeat equaled the record set by 2003-04 team that finished the year 4-24. The loss was the 16th straight for the Penguins who trailed 22-1 early in the game, but rallied to get to within three points of the Ramblers before running out of gas. UIC comes into the contest off a 83-73 loss to Cleveland State at home on Thursday night. The Flames are 10-5 at home. Series: The Flames lead the overall series 11-8 including a 57-42 victory over the Penguins on Jan. 29 at YSU’s Beeghly Center. The Penguins won both meetings last season, including a 71-62 victory last March in Chicago. Up next: The Penguins will return home for their final two regular-season games. They host Butler in a 7:05 p.m. tip off on Thursday at Beeghly Center and will entertain Valparaiso in the season final at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday.

Pete Mollica