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YOUNGSTOWN -- Eight players out ... on the floor.
That's the current status of the Youngstown State University women's basketball team -- down but far from out.
The Penguins made a run last Friday at one of the best in the Horizon League, Cleveland State. The Vikings went on a 21-4 run in the fourth quarter to close out the Penguins, 60-52.
Freshman post Jen Wendler, the only player on the active roster taller than 6-feet, played 36 minutes with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Redshirt freshman Gabby Lupardus came off the bench for nine points in 27 minutes, while freshman Maddie Schires had 33 minutes and 11 points.
"They showed a lot of heart," said YSU coach John Barnes, whose team is 9-7, 2-3 Horizon League. "… It's a lot of good experience for us. Hopefully we can grow and get better today."
This weekend, YSU ends a five-game road stretch by playing tonight at Oakland (8-8, 3-2) and Saturday at Detroit Mercy (1-15, 1-4). The game at Oakland's O'Rena is at 7 p.m., while the game at Callahan Hall in Detroit is at 1 p.m.
YSU juniors Chelsea Olson and Ny'Dajah Jackson are the upperclassmen leaders.
"Everybody is young and it's their job to keep it together," Barnes said. "Chelsea is low-key. She doesn't get too high or too low, take these things in stride. The freshmen see that, helps them not get too wound up or up-and-down as the games go along."
The five-game stretch has tested Olson, one of the best players in the league. She had seven points and 12 rebounds against CSU. Olson averages 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in league play.
"I feel this stretch has tested my leadership skills," Olson said. "More than anything I'm trying to manage the game, make sure everyone knows what play we're running and just knows where to be. I think being patient with them and helping them learn and use it as a learning opportunity for them. That's what helped."
She has to lead by example for these underclassmen.
"Staying aggressive and staying me," said the 5-foot-10 junior from Westby, Wisconsin. "I realize we're down a lot of people. Being aggressive has to keep going for me. Defensively do my job. Everybody has to do their job on this team for us to win."
Taylor Petit, who suffered an upper body injury at Northern Kentucky, and McKenah Peters are hopeful to return when the Penguins are back home Jan. 24 against Green Bay. But that timetable is not for certain. Petit averaged 9.3 points, while Peters was at 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in league play before their respective injuries.
"We're hoping sooner rather than later," Barnes said. "They are getting better. It's just a matter of time."
The team's lone senior, Mary Dunn, has been out since mid-November with meniscus issues. The 6-foot-3 senior forward is scheduled to see her doctor soon for another evaluation. Emma VanZanten, a 6-4 junior forward, had foot issues about the same time.
"Emma is making some strides forward," Barnes said. "We could see her in one week or three weeks. Neither one would surprise me."
Amara Chikwe is out with a concussion, while Lexi Wagner tore her ACL and is out for the season.
The YSU roster is littered with underclassmen ready to show their talents during this stretch.
Olson is eager to help them along.
"Making them understand this is a good opportunity for them," she said. "You're going to make mistakes, you're freshmen. Even I make mistakes. Keep pushing. Keep being patient."