The Youngstown State women's basketball team
will look to build on an encouraging first half in Thursday's
game against UIC when it entertains Loyola on Saturday. Tipoff
against the Ramblers is set for 4:35 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
The game is the front end of a
doubleheader with the YSU men's team. It will be broadcast live on
NewsRadio 570 WKBN and HorizonLeagueNetwork.tv.
Although the Penguins' 12.9 percent
shooting effort in the second half doomed them to a 57-42 defeat,
they began the contest by playing 17 of their best minutes of the
season. YSU led 27-17 with less than three minutes remaining in the
first half before UIC scored the final nine points of the half and
13 straight overall.
The Penguins regained the offensive
intensity they displayed in the first half in the final 1:25 and
scored seven points.
YSU played well defensively throughout,
holding UIC to 38.9 percent overall. The Flames' Jessie
Miller was 10-for-17 and scored 26 points, but the rest of the team
shot 11-for-37 and scored 31 points.
The Guins also held a 46-37 edge in
rebounding against the Flames, who entered the contest averaging
two more rebounds than their opponents. YSU, averaging seven boards
fewer than its opponents, also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds.
Kelsey Gurganus scored 11 points to lead
the Penguins in scoring for the third time in the last four games.
All four of her double-digit scoring games have been at home.
YSU starts its second tour of Horizon
League play next week as it travels to play the Wisconsin schools.
The Penguins play at Green Bay on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST.
Scouting Loyola
Loyola is also looking for its
first Horizon League victory today. The Ramblers started the season
by winning five of their first seven games, including an 87-82 win
against Central Michigan, but have lost nine straight. Elyse
VanBogaert leads three players averaging double figures with 11.8
points. Although Youngstown State has won three of the last five
meetings, Loyola maintains an 11-4 edge in the all-time series. YSU
is 4-3 at Beeghly Center but 0-8 at Loyola's Gentile Center.
The Penguins defeated the Ramblers 70-58 in Youngstown last year.
