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YSU, Green Bay women set for Monday matchup
Penguins to meet
Phoenix Monday
By Dan Hiner
Youngstown
The Youngstown State women’s basketball team was emotional the last time it played Green Bay.
The Penguins snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Phoenix with a 70-59 win at Beeghly Center on Feb. 15.
Emotions will be high again on Monday as the two teams will play in the Horizon League tournament semifinals at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
“I think everybody’s going to be at an emotional high,” YSU head coach John Barnes said. “Semifinals in the conference tournament, you’re playing in Little Caesars Arena — which is a big deal, where the [Detroit] Pistons play and the Red Wings. We’re going to have the energy and all four teams will. It’s just where you put that energy and doing the things that you know can get you the win and executing those things.”
Practice has been slightly different for YSU (22-8).
In years past, the Penguins thought they could beat Green Bay (21-8). Now they know they can win.
“I think we really just know what we’re capable of,” forward Mary Dunn said. “Last year we believed we could do it, but now we have proof that we can beat every team in the league, so I believe that intensity really helped us.”
The Penguins advanced to the conference semifinals for the second consecutive season, and for the fourth time in six seasons under Barnes. The Phoenix eliminated YSU last year, winning 66-45.
Monday also marks the last trip to Detroit for seniors Alison Smolinski, Melinda Trimmer and Sarah Cash.
“Definitely knowing it’s our last chance to get a win there, it’s everything,” Trimmer said. “Definitely going to have that in the back of my mind for sure when I’m playing and we’re just going to give it everything we got.”
Bracket Benefit
Both the Penguins and the Phoenix hosted first-round playoff games last week.
YSU beat Milwaukee 64-58 in the conference quarterfinals. Green Bay has won six straight since its loss at Beeghly Center. The Phoenix beat Cleveland State 73-30 in the first round.
In the past, every team made the conference tournament and played in Detroit.
The change in schedule helped the Penguins ease their way into the semifinals.
YSU sophomore guard Chelsea Olson said the tournament helped prepare the Penguins for a higher “intensity level” in Detroit.
Who Needs a Deep Roster?
The Phoenix played nine players 13 or more minutes in their win over Cleveland State.
Barnes said teams usually cut their rotations down to seven or eight players as they prepare for a postseason run, which is nothing new for YSU.
The Penguins’ rotation has been seven or eight deep all season.
YSU hopes that rotation equals better chemistry in the next round of the tournament.
“I think for us, we’ve been giving rest as much as we can throughout the year — just making sure we have a lot of energy and rest for the games,” Barnes said. “It’s worked for the most part and that’s what we’re going do for Monday.”