Wilmington, N.C. -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team looks to make it two in a row as it continues a rugged stretch of three games in five days when it visits UNC-Wilmington, Friday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the Hilton Wilmington Riverside Beach Blast.

The Penguins will also either Duquesne or Furman on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 1 or 3 p.m.

Youngstown State picked up its first victory of the season with an impressive 78-44 win over Buffalo on Tuesday. Four players reached double figures led by Monique Godfrey and Velissa Vaughn, who posted 17 points each.

Vaughn recorded career-highs in points and assists with seven.

Junior Heather Karner added 16 points with five assists while junior Jessica Schloemp just missed a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Scouting the Seahawks
The UNC-Wilmington Seahawks are currently 0-3 after dropping games to UNC-Greensboro, 74-48, NC State, 63-48, and High Point, 63-49, on Monday evening. Sahsha Taylor leads the Seahawks with 10.3 points per game but is the only player averaging double figures. UNCW is shooting 38.2 percent from the field and just 56.1 percent from the free-throw line.

The UNCW Series
This is the first meeting between Youngstown State and UNC-Wilmington.

A Win Will
• Mark a 2-2 start for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
• Give Head Coach Tisha Hill her 26th career victory.
• Give the YSU women's basketball program its 449th victory since the 1975-76 season.

Road Warriors
The Youngstown State women's basketball team embarks on a grueling road trip playing its next four games away from the friendly confines of the Beeghly Center. The Penguins play five of their first seven games on the road.

Last Time Out
The Penguins dismantled Buffalo, 78-44, on Tuesday evening at the Beeghly Center. Four players scored in double figures led by sophomores Velissa Vaughn and Monique Godfrey, who posted 17 points each. Junior Heather Karner added 16 points while classmate Jessica Schloemp just missed a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Home vs. Road
The evidence is quite clear. The Youngstown State women's basketball team prefers playing in the Beeghly Center. Although just three games into the season, YSU is averaging 78 points at home and 42 points on the road - a difference of 36 points per game. Also, the Penguins are shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from the 3-point line at home while just 33.3 percent on the road.

Lyons Misses Double-Double
In just her second college game, Anjalia Lyons just missed pulling off a tremendous feat. With eight points and a career-high 12 rebounds agaisnt Coppin State, Lyons was just two points from becoming the first freshman since Jen Perugini (2001-02) to record a double-double so early in her career. Perugini recorded five straight double-doubles to begin her college career.

Branson Moving Up
Senior Lauren Branson continues her climb up the YSU all-time assists chart. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native currently has 221 career assists and needs 90 more to move into 10th place on the career chart.

Up Next
The Penguins face either Duquesne or Furman on Saturday at 1 or 3 p.m.

Karner Likin Beeghly
Junior Heather Karner has show she enjoys playing in the Beeghly Center. The 5-foot-10 guard is averaging 25 points per game while shooting 60.7 percent for the floor and 42.9 percent from 3-point range. She poured in 34 points on 12-of-17 shooting against Cincinniati on 11/10 and 16 points against Buffalo on 11/21.

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 Again
After posting a career scoring high of 14 points in the season opener against Cincinnati, sophomore Velissa Vaughn posted career highs with 17 points and seven assists in YSU's 78-44 win over Buffalo on Tuesday.

Dime Dropper
Junior point guard Lauren Branson continues to prove her worth to the women's basketball team. In three games this season, Branson has dished out 16 assists for an average of 5.3 assists per game. She is also averaging just 24.7 minutes per game.

Back-to-Back 78's - Most Points Since 1999-2000
Youngstown State's 78 points in back-to-back home games (156 points) is the highest two-game total to open the season since 1999-2000 when the Penguins scored 168 points in their first two home games against Bowling Green (W, 83-68) on Nov. 20 and Kent State (W, 85-74) on Nov. 23.

Schloemp Streakin'
With an appearance against UNC-Wlimington on Friday, junior Jessica Schloemp will extend her games played streak to 48 straight games. If she starts against UNCW, Schloemp will extend her games started streak to 32.