Youngstown State University
Colorado
11/13/2026 8:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Youngstown State women's basketball team will continue a two-game road swing by traveling west for a contest at Colorado on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff inside the CU Events Center in Boulder, Colo., is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and 1390 WNIO/iHeartRadio.
Gameday Info
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET
- Where: CU Events Center | Boulder, Colo.
- Watch: ESPN+ | espn.com
- Listen: 1390 WNIO | iHeart.com
- Stats: StatBroadcast
- Social: X | Instagram | Facebook
Game Preview
The Penguins are now 2-1 after suffering their first setback of the 2026-27 season, a 64-60 defeat at Toledo, on Tuesday. The Guins trailed by as many as 18 in the second quarter and by as many as 16 in the third quarter before rallying back into the contest against the Rockets. After trailing 46-30 with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter, YSU closed the period on a 12-0 run to cut Toledo's lead to 46-42 entering the fourth.
YSU pulled within two points at 46-44 and 48-46 early in the fourth quarter before Toledo pushed its edge back to eight points at 57-49 with 4:25 left to play. Danielle Cameron's 3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining cut Toledo's lead to 63-60, but the Rockets were able to hold on for their fourth straight victory in the series.
Paulina Hernandez led three Penguins in double figures with a career-high 19 points at Toledo on Tuesday while freshman guard Evelyn McKnight posted a career-high 12 points and a team-high four assists in her third collegiate outing. Mia Kalich recorded her first double-double in a YSU uniform with 10 points and 13 rebounds while adding two assists and two steals. Kalich, who reached 1,000 career points in her YSU debut vs. Hiram on Nov. 2, has also surpassed 900 career rebounds and 300 career steals through the first three games of the season. She is the only active player across all NCAA divisions with 1,000+ career points, 900+ career rebounds and 300+ career steals.
Youngstown State is set to face Colorado on the hardwood for the first time in program history. This weekend's contest against the Buffaloes will mark YSU's first contest against a current member of the Big 12 since playing at West Virgina on Nov. 19, 2023. YSU's matchup with Colorado will also be the program's first game against a team located in the state of Colorado.
A Win Would…
- Allow the Guins to start 3-1 or better for the third straight season.
- Give YSU its first road victory of the season.
- Give the Penguins 15 victories in their last 19 games dating back to last season.
- Mark YSU's first win over a current member of the Big 12 Conference.
- Mark YSU's first victory over a Power Four conference opponent since a 64-55 win at Pitt on Nov. 13, 2018.
- Give head coach Melissa Jackson her 112th career win and her 40th at Youngstown State.
Milestone Watch
- Sarah Baker is 17 assists from 100 in her career and seven points from 500 for her career.
- Mia Kalich is 23 assists from 300 in her career and six games played from 100 for her career.
- Paulina Hernandez is two blocks away from 100 in her career and seven games played from 100.
- Erica King is two field goals from 200 in her career and 20 assists away from 150 for her career and 25 3-pointers from 100 in her career.
- Jada Leonard is eight 3-pointers from 100 in her career, 19 steals from 250 in her career, 24 assists from 250 for her career, 10 points from 1,100 in her career and five games played from 100 in her career.
- Danielle Cameron is 17 3-pointers away from 100 in her career and 20 assists from 100 for her career.
A Glimpse at the Guins
Team Notes
- Through games played on Nov. 11, YSU paced the Horizon League in scoring offense (81.7), scoring defense (50.7), 3-point percentage (.415), 3-pointers per game (9.0), turnover margin (+16.3) assists (19.0) and steals (15.7).
- YSU is in its third season under head coach Melissa Jackson. The Penguins concluded last season with a 25-10 record, posting their highest win total since the 1997-98 campaign.
- In 2025-26, YSU reached the championship game of the Horizon League tournament for the first time since joining the conference in 2001-02, and it went on to reach the Super 16 round of the Postseason WNIT.
- YSU's roster in 2026-27 features seven returners including three starters as well as five newcomers.
- YSU paced the Horizon League and ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense (57.7), field-goal percentage defense (.365) and blocks per game (4.9) last season.
Player Notes
- Sarah Baker averaged 11.5 points and reached double figures a team-high 23 times in 2025-26... A Horizon League All-Freshman Team selection, she ranked third in the HL in field-goal percentage and set YSU's freshman scoring record (404)... She scored a season-high 12 points in the win over Buffalo on Nov. 7.
- Danielle Cameron ranked second in the HL last season with 2.1 3-pointers per game and averaged 8.9 points... She made more 3s than any other freshman in program history (73)... She has made multiple three pointers in each of the first three games of the season.
- Hayden Barrier scored a game-high 17 points and made a career-high five 3-pointers in the season opener vs. Hiram on Nov. 2... She added eight points while shooting 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from long distance off the bench vs. Buffalo on Nov. 7.
- Reigning HL Sixth Player of the Year Paulina Hernandez led the HL and ranked 26th in the nation with 63 blocks, the third-most in school history in 2025-26... She scored a career-high 19 points at Toledo on Tuesday while adding six rebounds and two blocks.
- Erica King recorded 9.9 points per game, 2.7 assists per contest, 51 3-pointers and 47 steals while starting all 35 games in 2025-26... She scored a season-high 12 points and made three triples in the season opener vs. Hiram on Nov. 2.
- Fifth year transfer point guard Jada Leonard was named to the HL All-Defensive Team at Cleveland State in 2025-26... She scored a season-high 17 points to pace the Penguins in their victory over Buffalo on Nov. 7.
- Senior transfer forward Mia Kalich was named an Honorable Mention All-American at Division II Seton Hill in 2025-26... She eclipsed 1,000 career points vs. Hiram in the season opener, finishing with eight points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in her YSU debut… She is the only active player across all NCAA divisions with 1,000+ career points, 900+ career rebounds and 300+ career steals… Among all active players across NCAA Division I, II and III, Kalich ranks fourth with 913 career rebounds and third with 304 career steals… She also ranks seventh among all active NCAA players with 39 career double-doubles… She is tied with Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo for the most career triple-doubles among active players with three.
- Freshman guard Evelyn McKnight posted a career-high 12 points while making two 3-pointers and dishing out a team-high four assists at Toledo on Tuesday… She scored eight points in each of her first two collegiate contests… She posted a career-high five assists on Nov. 7 vs. Buffalo while matching her season and career best with three steals… She was named the Ohio Division III Player of the Year and First-Team All-Ohio as a senior at Copley High School in 2025-26.
Scouting Colorado
- Colorado is 3-0 to begin the 2026-27 season after a 64-55 win at San Diego State on Wednesday. The Buffaloes opened the campaign with home victories over Morgan State (83-38) and Fresno State (73-56). Colorado finished the 2025-26 season with a 22-12 overall record, including an 11-7 mark in Big 12 play. The Buffaloes earned an at-large bid in the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed before falling to No. 7 seed Illinois in the opening round.
- Colorado's 2026-27 roster consists of seven returning players, five incoming transfers, and two true freshmen under 11th-year head coach JR Payne. The Buffaloes lost their leading scorer Desiree Wooten to the transfer portal but also added several high impact transfers. Sophomore forward and UT Arlington transfer Kira Reynolds joins Colorado after averaging 13.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game last season.
- Senior guard Zyanna Walker was named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team while also being one of 50 players to earn a spot on the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List. Walker collected Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2025-26 after averaging 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest.
- Colorado is averaging 73.3 points per game as a team offensively while allowing only 49.7 per contest. The Buffaloes are averaging 19.3 forced turnovers and 10 steals per game resulting in a plus-5.7 turnover margin. Colorado is also plus-9.0 in rebounding margin through three games while limiting opponents to 33.3% shooting from the field.
Series History and Matchup Notes
Overall: First Meeting
Home: 0-0 // Away: 0-0 // Neutral: 0-0 // Jackson (career): 0-0
Current Win Streak: --
- Youngstown State and Colorado are set to face off in women's basketball for the first time on Saturday.
- The game against the Buffaloes marks YSU's first contest against a current member of the Big 12 since playing at West Virgina on Nov. 19, 2023. YSU's matchup with Colorado will also be the program's first game against a team located in the state of Colorado.
- YSU vs. Big 12 Teams: Youngstown State is 8-23 all-time in games played against current members of the Big 12 with all eight wins coming against West Virginia. YSU's last win over the Mountaineers came on Nov. 19, 1997, when WVU was a member of the Big East Conference. All time, the Penguins are 8-12 against West Virginia, 0-8 against Cincinnati and 0-1 versus Arizona, Oklahoma State and UCF.
- YSU vs. Power Four Opponents: Youngstown State has played a team currently in a Power Four conference in 18 of the last 19 years (since playing Ohio State in 2007-08) with the lone exception being 2020-21. Eight of those 18 contests were against Pitt, and YSU has beaten the Panthers twice – in 2012-13 and 2018-19. The Penguins have faced a Big Ten team six times in the last 10 seasons. With a scheduled contest at USC on Dec. 13, YSU will take on an opponent from the Big Ten for the third consecutive campaign after playing at Michigan State in 2025-26 and at Ohio State in 2024-25.
Recapping Last Game
Game Summary
Youngstown State had a second-half comeback bid come up short in a 64-60 setback to Toledo on Tuesday at Savage Arena.
The Penguins trailed by as many as 18 in the second quarter and by as many as 16 in the third quarter before rallying back into the contest. After trailing 46-30 with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter, YSU closed the period on a 12-0 run to cut Toledo's lead to 46-42 entering the fourth.
YSU pulled within two points at 46-44 and 48-46 early in the fourth quarter before Toledo pushed its edge back to eight points at 57-49 with 4:25 left to play. Danielle Cameron's 3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining cut Toledo's lead to 63-60, but the Rockets were able to hold on for their fourth straight victory in the series.
Notes
- The Penguins shot a season-low 37.5% from the field while making a season-low six 3-pointers in just 10 attempts. YSU finished 12-for-16 at the free-throw line to shoot 75% from the charity stripe for the third straight game to begin the season.
- After forcing a total of 68 turnovers over their first two games, the Penguins forced Toledo into 14 miscues on Tuesday. YSU also committed 14 turnovers in the contest and held a 13-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
- Toledo won the overall rebounding battle 44-36 as YSU was outrebounded for the third straight game to begin the season. The Rockets grabbed 12 offensive rebounds on the way to holding a 15-2 edge in second chance points.
- Toledo also finished with a 38-30 advantage in points in the paint.
- Paulina Hernandez led three Penguins in double figures with a career-high 19 points while adding six rebounds and two blocks.
- Freshman guard Evelyn McKnight posted a career-high 12 points and a team-high four assists in her third collegiate outing. She went 2-for-3 from 3-point range to sink multiple triples for the second time in her first three contests.
- Mia Kalich recorded her first double-double in a YSU uniform with 10 points and 13 rebounds while adding two assists and two steals. She surpassed 900 career rebounds in the contest while posting the 39th double-double of her career.
- Danielle Cameron scored six points on a pair of 3-pointers as she made multiple triples for the third straight game to begin the season.
Up Next
The Penguins will return home to host Heidelberg on Tuesday in the program's School Day Kids Game presented by Chick-fil-A Tiffany Square Plaza. Tipoff inside Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and 570 WKBN.
