YSU PREVIEW \ Basketball today


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Who: YSU (54-9, 2-3) vs. Loyola (9-7, 1-3).SFlbTip-off: 7:05 p.m. at Beeghly Center. Radio/TV: WKBN-AM 570, MyYTV (10:30 p.m., taped) Coaches: Jerry Slocum (Kings, N.Y. ‘75) is 35-67 in his fourth season with the Penguins and 615-393 all-time; Jim Whitesell (Luther, ‘82) is in his fifth season with the Ramblers with a 74-65 record. YSU starters: Vytas Sulskis, 6-7, sophomore guard (11.1 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game); Jack Liles, 6-7 senior forward (9.1 ppg., 6.4 rpg); DeAndre Mays, 6-2 junior guard (9.9 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) Kelvin Bright, 6-4 junior guard (14.8 ppg., 3.3 rpg.); Sirlester Martin, 6-7 junior forward (9.4 ppg., 7.1 rpg.). Loyola starters: Walt Gibler, 6-7 freshman forward (4.5 ppg., 2.7 rpg.); Darrin Williams, 6-8 senior forward (8.1 ppg., 5.8 rpg.); Aric VanWeelden, 6-3 junior guard (2.3 ppg., 2.3 rpg.); Justin Cerasoli, 6-5 senior guard (10.8 ppg., 2.9 rpg.); J.R. Blount, 6-1 senior guard (15.9 ppgt., 3.8 rpg.) Game notes: The Penguins rebounded from a tough loss at Wright State with a big performance against UIC and an 80-70 victory at home on Thursday night. It was just the Penguins’ third all-time victory over the Flames. Bright led the way with 23 points, while the Penguins got career highs from junior Dallas Blocker with 11 points and eight rebounds in a reserve role. Loyola comes into the contest after suffering a 76-50 loss at Cleveland State on Thursday. The Ramblers also have conference losses to UIC (83-69) and Milwaukee (80-66). Their lone conference win came at home against Green Bay 62-60. Loyola is 3-5 on the road this year. Series: The Penguins hold a slight edge in the overall series 10-9, but in the last six years the two teams have split their two-game Horizon League series each time. Last season, the Penguins won at home 71-61, but lost in Chicago 69-68. Loyola has not won in Youngstown since the 2005-06 season. Up next: The Penguins will take to the road for the next two contests, both in Wisconsin. They will meet Milwaukee on Thursday in an 8:30 p.m. tipoff and then play at Green Bay on Jan. 17 in an 8:05 p.m. start. They will then return for a four-game home stand that will kickoff on Jan. 23 with a 9 p.m. tip off with Cleveland State, a game that will be televised nationally over ESPNU.

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Who: YSU (2-12, 0-3) vs. Green Bay (10-3, 3-0) When: 4:35 p.m. at Beeghly Center.

Radio/TV: WKBN-AM (570); MyYTV (tape delayed midnight) Coaches: Cindy Martin (Florida ’99) is in her first season with the Penguins and is 72-35 in her career. Matt Bollant (Winona State, ‘94) is in his second season with the Phoenix and carries a 36-9 record. YSU probable starters: Macey Nortey, 5-foot-3 freshman guard (6.1 points per game), 2.6 rebounds per game); Kelsey Gurganus, 5-8 senior guard (6 ppg., 2.8 rpg.); Jaquetta Westley, 5-7 junior guard (7.8 ppg., 2.7 rpg.); Tiara Scott, 6-0 senior forward (9.9 ppg., 5.1 rpg.); Nikita LaFleur, 6-2 senior center (9.4 ppg., 8.5 rpg.). Green Bay probable starters: Kayla Tetschlag, 6-0 sophomore forward (7 ppg., 3.0 rpg.); Lavesa Glover, 6-3 senior center (11.2 ppg., 3.8 rpg.); Kati Harty, 5-6 senior guard (9.6 ppg., 2.1 rpg.); Celeste Hoewisch, 5-7 sophomore guard (9.5 ppg., 3.3 rpg.); Rachel Porath, 5-10 senior guard (10.1 ppg., 3.5 rpg.).SFlbGame notes: The Penguins bounced back after two very disappointing performances, to battle Milwaukee before falling 72-60 on Thursday at Beeghly Center. The Penguins shot much better from the field and played some of their best basketball under the hoops led by seniors LaFleur and Scott, who both combined for double-double efforts as LaFleur had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Scott added 13 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first time since 2003 that the Penguins had two players finish with double-double efforts in the same game. Even with the improved play the Penguins lost for the fourth straight time and the ninth time in the last 10 games. Green Bay is having another outstanding season. The Phoenix opened the season with seven straight wins, but then dropped three of their next four. They are coming off a 65-49 win at Cleveland State on Thursday and already own a win over Milwaukee, 47-35. Series: This will be the 21st meeting between the two schools and the Penguins have won only one time against the Phoenix, who hold a 19-1 edge in the series. Green Bay has won the last six meetings with YSU’s only win in the series coming in the 2004-05 season when the Penguins knocked off the then No. 23 ranked Phoenix 60-56 in Green Bay. The Phoenix has never lost a game in Youngstown. Up next: The Penguins will wind off their three-game homestand on Jan. 17 when they play host to Cleveland State in a 2:05 p.m. tipoff at Beeghly Center.

Radio/TV: WKBN-AM (570); MyYTV (tape delayed midnight) Coaches: Cindy Martin (Florida ’99) is in her first season with the Penguins and is 72-35 in her career. Matt Bollant (Winona State, ‘94) is in his second season with the Phoenix and carries a 36-9 record. YSU probable starters: Macey Nortey, 5-foot-3 freshman guard (6.1 points per game), 2.6 rebounds per game); Kelsey Gurganus, 5-8 senior guard (6 ppg., 2.8 rpg.); Jaquetta Westley, 5-7 junior guard (7.8 ppg., 2.7 rpg.); Tiara Scott, 6-0 senior forward (9.9 ppg., 5.1 rpg.); Nikita LaFleur, 6-2 senior center (9.4 ppg., 8.5 rpg.). Green Bay probable starters: Kayla Tetschlag, 6-0 sophomore forward (7 ppg., 3.0 rpg.); Lavesa Glover, 6-3 senior center (11.2 ppg., 3.8 rpg.); Kati Harty, 5-6 senior guard (9.6 ppg., 2.1 rpg.); Celeste Hoewisch, 5-7 sophomore guard (9.5 ppg., 3.3 rpg.); Rachel Porath, 5-10 senior guard (10.1 ppg., 3.5 rpg.).SFlbGame notes: The Penguins bounced back after two very disappointing performances, to battle Milwaukee before falling 72-60 on Thursday at Beeghly Center. The Penguins shot much better from the field and played some of their best basketball under the hoops led by seniors LaFleur and Scott, who both combined for double-double efforts as LaFleur had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Scott added 13 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first time since 2003 that the Penguins had two players finish with double-double efforts in the same game. Even with the improved play the Penguins lost for the fourth straight time and the ninth time in the last 10 games. Green Bay is having another outstanding season. The Phoenix opened the season with seven straight wins, but then dropped three of their next four. They are coming off a 65-49 win at Cleveland State on Thursday and already own a win over Milwaukee, 47-35. Series: This will be the 21st meeting between the two schools and the Penguins have won only one time against the Phoenix, who hold a 19-1 edge in the series. Green Bay has won the last six meetings with YSU’s only win in the series coming in the 2004-05 season when the Penguins knocked off the then No. 23 ranked Phoenix 60-56 in Green Bay. The Phoenix has never lost a game in Youngstown. Up next: The Penguins will wind off their three-game homestand on Jan. 17 when they play host to Cleveland State in a 2:05 p.m. tipoff at Beeghly Center.