The Youngstown State women's basketball team will try to improve to 5-0 at home and win its ninth game in 2012 when it hosts Bucknell on Saturday at Beeghly Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:35 p.m., and the game will be the second half of a doubleheader with the YSU men's team facing Marygrove in the opener.
The Penguins are already off to their best start through 11 games since the 1997-98 season and are coming off a big 80-71 victory over Akron on Dec. 20. YSU got 25 points and 15 rebounds from senior forward Brandi Brown in the win over the Zips, who entered the game with an 8-3 record. Brown grabbed her 1,000th career rebound and moved into fourth place on YSU's career scoring list in the victory. Freshman point guard Shar'Rae Davis filled up the stat sheet with 17 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists. The win gave the Penguins a 3-0 record against the MAC this season.
Bucknell, like YSU, is off to its best start in more than a decade. The Bison have won seven of their last nine contests to improve to 7-4, its best start since 2000-01. Under first-year coach Aaron Roussell, the Bison are averaging 12.9 more points than they did a year ago and lead the Patriot League with 64.2 points per game. Shelby Romine averages 14.7 points, which ranks third in the conference, and is coming off a career-high 29 points against Saint Peter's.
The Youngstown State men's basketball team plays its final game of 2012 when it hosts NAIA member Marygrove, tomorrow, Dec. 29, at the Beeghly Center. Tipoff is set for 2:05 p.m.
Scouting Marygrove
• Marygrove enters the week with a 1-13 record and plays Olivet College, Friday, Dec. 28.
• Darryl Foster is the only player for the Mustangs averging in double figures with 10.1 points per game.
• Diante Taylor is second on the team with 9.0 points per contest.
