The Youngstown State women's basketball team (0-1) hits the road for the first time this season when it visits 2006 NCAA Tournament participant Coppin State, Friday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. in Baltimore, Md., at the Coppin Center.

The Penguins are coming off an 85-78 loss to Big East member Cincinnati last Friday at the Beeghly Center. After holding a seven-point halftime advantage, 45-38, the Penguins shot just 35.5 percent from the field and 13 offensive rebounds to the Bearcats in the second half.

In her Division I debut, junior Heather Karner scored a game-high 34 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-8 from the 3-point line. Sophomore Velissa Vaughn posted a career-high 14 points while junior Jessica Schloemp just missed a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Scouting the Eagles
The Coppin State Eagles are currently 1-1 and are coming off a 59-59 win over Maryland-Baltimore County on Tuesday evening. Senior Rashida Suber, who is averaging 20.5 points per game, paced Coppin State with a career-high 25 points 8-of-17 shooting from the floor and 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Talia Sutton is averaging a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. Coppin State lost its season opener to George Washington, 63-53, on Sunday, Nov. 12.

The Coppin State Series
This will be just the second meeting between Youngstown State and Coppin State. Last season, Youngstown State came away with a 69-62 victory in Beeghly Center.
 

A Win Will 
• Mark the third straight season YSU began the season with a 1-1 record after two games.
• Give Head Coach Tisha Hill her 25th career victory.
• Give the YSU women's basketball program its 448th victory since the 1975-76 season.

Up Next
The Penguins return for their last home game in the month of November when they host Mid-American Conference member Buffalo, Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7:05 p.m. at the Beeghly Center.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State dropped a hard-fought decision to Big East member Cincinnati, 85-78, last Friday at the Beeghly Center. Junior Heather Karner led three Penguins scoring in double-figures with 34 points. Sophomore Velissa Vaughn posted a career-high 14 points while junior Jessica Schloemp just missed a double-double with 10 points and eight boards.

Quite a Debut
Junior Heather Karner turned in an impressive debut performance in a Penguin uniform against Cincinnati last Friday. In the 85-78 loss, Karner scored a career-high 34 points on 12-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Her 34 points marks the first time a YSU player scored at least 30 points in a game since Jenny Horner posted 30 points against Cleveland State in 2002.

The last time a YSU player scored 30 or more points in consecutive games was Dorothy Bowers when she scored 36 against Tennessee Tech (2/20/88) and 32 against Middle Tennessee (2/22/88) during the 1987-88 season. Brianne Kenneally is the last YSU player to open the season with at least 30 points and to score at least 30 points in more than one game in a season. Kenneally scored 33 against Bowling Green (11/18/00), 43 against Georgia State (11/24/00) and 31 (11/29/00) against Akron during the 2000-01 season.

Vaughn Nets Career High
After posting a career scoring high of eight points against Cleveland State last season, sophomore Velissa Vaughn delivered the best offensive performance of her career with 14 points against Cincinnati last Friday. Vaughn also added two rebounds and three assists. 

Branson Back At It
In her first game after reconstructive knee surgery, junior guard Lauren Branson was back to her generous ways. In just 25 minutes played, Branson dished out eight assists while scoring five points and four steals.

78 - Most Points Since 03
Youngstown State's 78 points against Cincinnati last Friday was the highest offensive scoring output in a season-opener since YSU scored 79 points in a 79-67 win over Bowling Green in 2003.

Branson Movin' Up
In just 41 career games, junior Lauren Branson is quickly approaching the YSU all-time assists chart. Branson has 213 career assists and needs 98 more to move into 10th place on the YSU all-time assists chart. Branson also ranks fifth all-time with a 5.19 assists per game average.

Schloemp Streakin'
With an appearance against Coppin State on Friday, junior Jessica Schloemp will extend her games played streak to 46 straight games. If she starts against Coppin State, Schloemp will extend her games started streak to 30.