| Adrienne Squire netted a career-high seven 3-pointers Sunday to lead Penn State to a 78-52 win over Illinois. Her seven threes matched Kelly Mazzante's Bryce Jordan Center record. |
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. February 12, 2006 - Adrienne Squire (Indianapolis, Ind.) lit up the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, netting a career-high 28 points and seven 3-pointers to lead Penn State to a decisive 78-52 win over Illinois on Sunday in front of 7,975 Squire's seven 3-pointers was not only a career-high for the sharp-shooting sophomore, but matched a three-year old Bryce Jordan Center record, set Jan. 9, 2003 by three-time All-American Kelly Mazzante.
"This game got us over the hump and helps us build momentum for the end of the season," said Lady Lion head coach Rene Portland. "Adrienne [Squire] hit seven threes, Brianne [O'Rourke] had ten assists; the offensive effort was there for us in the second half. We needed to the get the win tonight and we did."
Amanda Brown (Kennett Square, Pa.) hit for 11 points while Mashea Williams (Erie, Pa.) added 10. Leading Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate Brianne O'Rourke (Pittsburgh, Pa.) handed out a career high-tying 10 assists to go along with three steals against just two turnovers. Danyel Crutcher led Illinois with 18 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
The Lady Lions improved to 11-13, 5-8 with the win, while the Illini lost their eight straight game, falling to 12-12, 4-9.
Penn State hit 11 of its first 13 shots in the second frame and built a 23-point lead with 8:30 left to play. The Lady Lions pushed the lead to as much as 28 points as they shot a sizzling 59 percent in the second half to finish the game at a 51.8 percent shooting clip.
Penn State held Illinois to just seven points through the first seven minutes of the second half while scoring 13 of its own. Squire highlighted the run with back-to-back 3-pointers to get the crowd on its feet. The Lady Lions led, 33-24, with 17 minutes to play, but Williams made a driving layup, Squire opened things up with her two threes, Williams hit two more baskets and Courtney Molinaro (Bethlehem, Pa.) drilled a 10-footer from the baseline to cap a decisive run that gave Penn State a 47-30 edge with just under 12 minutes to play.
Illinois fired back with six quick points to whittle the lead down to 13 with 10:44 on the clock, but Squire swished three more 3-pointers to cap off a 15-3 run that gave the Lady Lions a 64-39 edge at the 6:42 mark. Illinois never got any closer than 23 down the stretch as the Lady Lions cruised to the win.
Portland said she was happy to see the offensive burst, especially considering the team's shooting struggles as of late.
"As a coach you wait for that," she said. "The team has been putting the time in [at practice] and we've been reminding them to stay with what we do as a team. We know that if they stay with it and do what they can do, the offense will break out eventually."
After a slow first 10 minutes to open the game, Penn State turned on the heat late in the first half to go into the break with a 30-21 edge. Penn State led, 10-8, with a little under 10 minutes to play in the first half, but quickly extended that lead to 16-10 behind back-to-back Squire 3-pointers. Illinois pulled to 18-14, but Courtney Molinaro (Bethlehem, Pa.) sunk a layup after beating her defender on a pretty up-and-under move, and Kam Gissendanner (Clairton, Pa.) and Squire each netted jumpers to give Penn State a 24-14 lead at the 4:55 mark. The Lady Lions held on to their lead down the stretch to finish the first period with a nine-point edge. Penn State shot 45 percent in the first 20 minutes while holding Illinois to a 34 percent mark in the first half. The Illini's Crutcher led all scorers with 10, while Squire topped the Penn State scoring column with eight.
Penn State heads back to the road on Thursday, Feb. 16 to take on Wisconsin in Madison. Penn State returns home to take on Northwestern on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Next Penn State welcomes Ohio State in the regular season finale on Sunday Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.
Single games tickets for the two remaining home games 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.