Youngstown -- Four players scored in double figures as the Youngstown State women's basketball team earned a 73-62 victory over UIC in the Horizon League opener for both schools on Thursday at the Beeghly Center.

    Senior guard Heather Karner led the way with 19 points for the Penguins while junior Tiara Scott had 18, junior Velissa Vaughn added 12 and junior Kelsey Gurganus contributed 10.

    The Penguins (6-6 overall and 1-0 in the Horizon League) won their conference opener for the second time since joining the league seven years ago the other coming in the 2004-05 campaign. UIC falls to 4-8 on the year and 0-1 in league play. It was the Guins' first win at the Beeghly Center over UIC since 2002.

    In the first half, the Penguins made 14-of-32 field-goal attempts (43.8 percent) and were a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. UIC was just 11-of-30 (39.3 percent) from the floor. The Penguins made four treys, while UIC had none.

    Karner contributed 14 points as the Guins led 39-25 at the break.

    YSU, which never trailed in the contest, led 4-2 before opening up the contest on a 14-5 run to lead 19-7 with 9:47 left following a 3-pointer by Velissa Vaughn. The Flames trimmed the deficit to 24-14 but a 12-6 gave Youngstown a 36-21 advantage.

    In the second half, the Flames cut the Penguins advantage to 49-41 with 11:43 remaining in the game. YSU responded by scoring the next seven points and were never threatened the remainder of the contest.

    Youngstown State is back at home on Saturday afternoon when it takes on Loyola. Tipoff for the contest at the Beeghly Center against the Ramblers is set for 3:25 p.m. as the second game of a men's-women's doubleheader.