The Youngstown State women's basketball team returns home to play host to the two Chicago teams in a pair of doubleheaders this week. The Penguins entertain UIC on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. in a contest that will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 570 WKBN and HorizonLeagueNetwork.tv.
     YSU was swept last week at Wright State and Detroit while UIC split its Wisconsin trip, beating Milwaukee and losing to Green Bay.
     YSU led 8-2 two minutes into the game at Detroit, but the Titans scored 11 straight points to go up 13-8 and never trailed again. Detroit also went on a 19-1 run in the first half to build a 44-31 halftime lead.
     The Penguins, who have lived off their post play all season, were outscored a combined 74-28 in the paint in the two games last week. They were also outrebounded 78-42 in the two games. Nikita LaFleur and Tiara Scott, who entered the week averaging a combined 19.8 points, were held to 11 points total on the trip.
     On the flip side, YSU got increased scoring from its guards at Wright State and Detroit. Kelsey Gurganus scored nine points at Wright State and eight at Detroit and is averaging 10 points in the last three games. Camisha Alexander had a hot hand at Detroit to score a career-high 15 points, which followed a six-point effort at Wright State. Kenya Middlebrooks added a career-high six points against Detroit.
     The Penguins shot better than their season average in both games - 38.1 percent at Wright State and 37.5 percent at Detroit. Their 3-point percentage was significantly better compared to their first 16 games. YSU entered the week shooting 23.5 percent from behind the arc, but the Guins connected on 44.4 percent (4-for-9) at Wright State and 43.8 percent (7-for-16) at Detroit. The seven treys matched their previous season high that was set in the opener at Kent State.
     Head Coach Cindy Martin deviated from the normal starting lineup in both contests, looking for a way to kickstart the team. Kaitlyn March made her first start since Nov. 28 at Wright State, and Ashley Pendleton was in the starting five for the first time all year. Rachael Manuel and Camisha Alexander both made their first career starts at Detroit, and Kenya Middlebrooks started for the second time. Macey Nortey, Kelsey Gurganus, Jaquetta Westley, Tiara Scott and Nikita LaFleur had started seven straight games prior to Wright State.
 
 Scouting UIC
     UIC tied its best start in school history by winning its first five games, but the Flames have gone 5-7 since. The Flames lost four straight right after its 5-0 start, and they've gone 4-3 in Horizon League games. UIC swept Wright State and Detroit at home to start the league slate and won at Loyola. The Flames defeated Milwaukee last Thursday, but they've lost to Valparaiso, Butler and Green Bay in the last two weeks. Junior guard Jessie Miller leads three players averaging double figures with 12.5 points per game. Freshman Jasmine Bailey averages 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.