Game notes
| Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate Brianne O'Rourke and the Lady Lions have two big home games coming up. First the team hosts Michigan on Thursday at 7 p.m. and then rival Purdue Sunday at 2 p.m. Both games are "white-outs," and all fans should wear white to show their Lady Lion pride. |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. January 31, 2006 - Penn State, winners of its last two conference games at home, will look to continue the trend as it takes on Michigan on Thursdsay at 7 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. The game is a "white-out," and all fans should wear white to support the team and show their Lady Lion pride.
The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive the second set of Lady Lion trading cards. The game will also honor National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Various Penn State women's sports athletes will be in attendance and signing autographs from 6:15-7 p.m. on the concourse. All girls 12 and under who wear a sports uniform can buy a ticket for just $1. Finally, the Student Athlete Advisory Board will be collecting donation for THON before the game.
Fans can watch the game live on WPSU-TV (Adelphia Channel 3) and listen to the game on the Penn State Sports Network and at GoPSUsports.com, where a link to live stats will also be available.
Penn State (9-11, 3-6) holds a commanding 19-games-to-5 all-time series lead over the Wolverines. Penn State has won the last seven straight vs. Michigan, and is 8-2 vs. the maize and blue at home. Penn State has not dropped a home game to Michigan since 2001.
Penn State has three players averaging double-digit scoring figures, led by Kam Gissendanner (Clairton, Pa.) who is netting 16.2 ppg. Gissendanner has been especially hot as of late, and is averaging over 20 points per contest over the last five games. Amanda Brown (Kennett Square, Pa.) is putting up 15.4 ppg and tops the team in the rebounding category, pulling down 7.4 per Freshman Brianne O'Rourke (Pittsburgh, Pa.) leads the team in assists with 5.3 per game, and minutes played, at 35.2 mpg.
The Big Ten's assist leader, O'Rourke became the first player in the Big Ten this year to eclipse the 100-assist mark, achieving the feat on Sunday at No. 14/12 Minnesota. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate has 105 to her credit, and leads the conference with 5.3 apg.
Michigan (6-15, 0-9) currently sits last in the Big Ten and is still looking for its first conference win. Sophomore forward Ta'Shia Walker is the only Wolverine scoring in double figures through 21 games and is averaging 11.7 ppg. Walker also leads Michigan's rebounding efforts, pulling down 5.7 rpg. Helvey is second with 5.1 rpg. Michigan's last win came on Dec. 23 vs. St. Bonaventure when the Wolverines captured a 68-60 decision for their only road win of the season. Since then, an eight-point loss to Purdue (Jan. 8, 51-43) and a 10-point loss to Wisconsin (Jan. 29, 75-65) have been as close as Michigan has come to a victory. Head coach Cheryl Burnett is in her third season with the Wolverines and has a 347-187 career record. Burnett began her head coaching career at Southwest Missouri State where she spent 15 seasons, compiling a 319-136 record and taking the program to two Final Four appearances.
Penn State will stay at home this Sunday to host rival Purdue at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Lady Lion lunchbox and, like Thursday's game, it is a "white-out." Penn State fans should wear white to support the Lady Lions and show their Penn State pride.
Single games tickets for the Lady Lions are still available. Tickets can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center ticket windows weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fans can also get tickets by calling 800-863-3336 or 865-5555 locally or visit www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics. Tickets are also available by visiting the Downtown Ticket Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, and at the HUB ticket booth at the information desk. For groups of 10 or more, ticket discounts and preferred seating options are available by calling (814)863-6757.
Fans interested in buying all-session tickets for the NCAA First and Second Round Games at the Bryce Jordan Center on March 18 and 21 should contact the Penn State ticket office at 1-800-863-3336 or 814-865-5555. All-session tickets will gain the bearer entry to all three sessions. Adult all-session tickets for the six-game, two-day event are available for $42. Penn State students, youth under 18 and senior citizens (60 or above) can purchase tickets for only $18. Fans may also purchase tickets by downloading a ticket brochure and returning the adjoining application to the Penn State ticket office at the address provided. The brochure, and additional information on the NCAA Tournament Games at the Bryce Jordan Center are available online at http://www.gopsusports.com/BasketballW/NCAATourney/
Big Ten Tournament tickets are on sale now as well. To get tickets now, Penn State fans can go through the Penn State box office. Fans can also buy all-session tickets through Ticketmaster for $55 at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone numbers (570) 693-4100 in central Pennsylvania) or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
For group ticket information and a group order form, contact Justin Hirnisey of Indiana Sports Corporation at (317) 237-5026 or justin.hirnisey@indianasportscorp.com.
Penn State is hosting NCAA Tournament Games. Click here for more information