Youngstown State's women's basketball team will play four games at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center and two road games within 100 miles of campus during its 2025-26 non-conference schedule. YSU second-year head coach Melissa Jackson announced the 10-game slate on Monday.

The season will begin on Monday, Nov. 3, with the Penguins hosting Thiel College on Rosselli Court. Youngstown State will also play home games against Bucknell on Nov. 16, Toledo on Nov. 25 and Salem on New Year's Eve. YSU is playing Toledo at home for the first time since 2007, and it is hosting Salem and Thiel for the first time since 2015 and 2018, respectively.

The Penguins will also play six non-league games on the road, and the first three will be at venues that the program has never competed in. YSU's road debut in 2025-26 will be at North Dakota on Nov. 7, and the Penguins will play at Michigan State for the first time on Nov. 12. Following the Bucknell game, YSU will make the short trip to Mercyhurst to play the Lakers in Erie, Pennsylvania, for the first time. November's slate will conclude with the Penguins resuming their series with Akron with a road game against the Zips on Nov. 30.

Youngstown State's next two non-conference games will be in Miami, Florida, at a tournament hosted by FIU on Dec. 19-20. The non-league finale be against Salem on Dec. 31.

YSU's Horizon League schedule will be announced at a later date.

Schedule Notes 

Nov. 3 vs. Thiel (11-19)

• YSU will play the Division III Tomcats for the first time since 2018 and the second time in program history. Youngstown State and Thiel are located less than 40 miles apart.

Nov. 7 at North Dakota (12-19)

• The Penguins will play the Fighting Sioux for the first time in program history after last year's cancellation. It will be YSU's first time playing in either of the Dakotas.

Nov. 12 at Michigan State (22-10)

• After playing at Ohio State in 2024-25, YSU will play a Big Ten opponent for the second straight year. Youngstown State has never played Michigan State in women's basketball, and it will be a return to the Breslin Center for YSU assistant coach Courtney Davidson. Davidson played for the Spartans from 2005-08.

Nov. 16 vs. Bucknell (17-14)

• YSU and Bucknell will play for the second straight year, and the Bison will come to Youngstown for the first time since 2017.

Nov. 20 at Mercyhurst (9-18)

• YSU hosted Mercyhurst during the Lakers' first season at Division I in 2024-25, and the Penguins will make the return trip in 2025-26 for the second all-time meeting between the programs.

Nov. 25 vs. Toledo (24-9)

• The Penguins and Rockets are playing for the first time since a 2013 matchup in the second round of the Women's NIT. The teams will meet on Rosselli Court for the first time since 2007.

Nov. 30 - Akron (10-21)

• YSU and Akron will continue its series after a one-year break, playing for the 62nd time in program history.

Dec. 19 and 20 - at FIU Tournament

• The Penguins will at FIU for the first time since 2000.

Dec. 31 vs. Salem (1-27)

• The Penguins and Division II Tigers will play for the first time since 2015 and for the second time ever. It will be YSU's only non-conference home game in December.