Nov. 5, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The Penn State Lady Lions will take the court for the first time in the 2010-11 campaign when they host Gannon in an exhibition game against Division II Gannon Sunday at noon at the Bryce Jordan Center. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men's team as the Nittany Lions face East Stroudsburg at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 general admission and free for Penn State students with ID.
SCOUTING GANNON: The Golden Knights, who are #15 in the preseason Division II coaches poll, had an outstanding 2009-10 season with a 37-1 overall record and perfect 14-0 mark in PSAC play. Gannon's lone loss came in the NCAA Elite Eight to Emporia State. However, the Golden Knights lost all five starters to graduation, but return seven letterwinners from a year ago. Head coach Cleve Wright is the all-time winningest coach in Gannon history with a 167-75 record in eight seasons.
ALL-TIME VS. THE KNIGHTS: The Lady Lions and the Golden Knights have never met in the regular-season.
YOUTH WILL BE SERVED: The Lady Lions have a very young roster for the 2010-11 season with eight freshmen and sophomores on the squad. Headlining the list of returnees for the Lions are sophomore All-Big Ten choice Alex Bentley, senior guard/forward Julia Trogele and sophomore center Nikki Greene.
TOP 25 RECRUITING CLASS: The Lady Lions' freshmen class was selected as the 21st-ranked recruiting class by ESPN/Hoopgurlz that includes just the second McDonald's High School All-American in school history in Maggie Lucas, WBCA All-American Ariel Edwards and all-state selection Talia East.
THREE STARTERS RETURN: The Lady Lions will return three starters this season in senior Julia Trogele and sophomores Alex Bentley and Nikki Greene. Trogele led the team in rebounding for the second consecutive season with a 6.2 average, which was 11th in the Big Ten, while Bentley is coming off of a rookie campaign that saw her earn All-Big Ten third team honors and a unanimous selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. The sophomore point guard, who was a Full Court Press Freshman All-American, finished second on the team in scoring at an 11.8 per game clip. With 55 blocks in her rookie season, Greene gives the Lady Lions a shot-blocking threat in the middle. The sophomore center finished second on the team and 12th in the Big Ten in rebounding (6.2) and was third on the squad in scoring (7.0).
LUCAS FROM DEEP: Freshman guard Maggie Lucas lit it up from downtown during the McDonald's All-American Powerade Jam Fest to win the three-point shootout. Lucas is the first Lady Lion signee to win the three-point shootout as a McDonald's All-American. Lucas scored 22 points in the final round to win the competition over Tennessee signee Meighan Simmons (13) and Florida State recruit Natasha Howard (12).
CHMIEL ADDED TO STAFF: In addition to another Top 25 recruiting class, head coach Coquese Washington also added Fred Chmiel to the staff as an assistant coach. Chmiel replaces Itoro Coleman, who left to become the head coach at Clemson. Chmiel joins the Lady Lions after spending the last two years at San Diego State University as an assistant coach. His primary responsibility will be working with the guard. He will also serve as the team's defensive coordinator. Additionally, he will assist in recruiting efforts and opponent scouting. Chmiel also spent time at Temple and with the WNBA's Charlotte Sting, where he coached former Lady Lions Helen Darling and Kelly Mazzante.
The Lady Lions open the regular season on the road at Dayton on Fri., Nov. 12 before returning home to face Rider in their home opener on Sun., Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. 2010-11 Lady Lion Basketball Single-game tickets are available by calling 814-863-1000 or 800-NITTANY. The PNC Flex Books are available again this year for $99. The Flex Book gives fans 12 vouchers, including one for the Coaches vs. Cancer game and one for the Pink Zone game, that can be redeemed for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion Basketball tickets in any combination.
The 2011 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State will take place on Sunday, Feb. 27 at noon as the Lady Lions take on Northwestern in the Bryce Jordan Center. The game can be seen on the Big Ten Network. Last year, the Lady Lions donated more than $80,000 for breast cancer causes. This year's fundraising efforts will benefit the Mount Nittany Medical Center, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital. For more information on the Pink Zone at Penn State, visit the official Pink Zone website at www.gopsusports.com/pinkzone. The WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pinkzoneatpennstate.
The Lady Lions are on Twitter. Follow sports information contact Kris Petersen (@ladylionsid) and the Lady Lions and coaches (@pennstatewbb) to get the inside scoop. The Lady Lions are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstateladylions.