Dec. 13, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Penn State Lady Lion guard Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.) took home her fourth-straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week award and in the process tied the conference record for Freshman of the Week accolades in a season. She equals the mark of four freshman laurels set by Iowa's Jaime Printy and Illinois' Karisma Penn each claimed four awards last year. The Freshman of the Week award was introduced during the 2009-10 season.
Lucas accounted for 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals in a pair of wins for the Lady Lions last week. The rookie guard started the week by going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line en route to 20 points in a win over Army on Wednesday. She also pulled in a career-high eight rebounds to go along with four steals. With her two three-pointers, she moved into the Top 5 on Penn State's freshman season three-pointers list, passing Jess Brungo (27; 2000-01). In Sunday's win over Maine, Lucas was 8-for-12 from the field, including four three-pointers, en route to game-best 22 points for her fifth 20-point game of the season. She also pulled in four rebounds, dished out two assists and tallied a pair of steals against the Black Bears.
The native of Narberth, Pa., leads the team and fourth in the Big Ten in scoring at a 17.0 per game rate. Lucas is also ninth in three-point field goal percentage (.438) and first in three-pointers made (3.2). Additionally, she is second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage with a 93.8% (30-32) from the charity stripe. Lucas has five 20-point games this season, including four of her last five games. Lucas currently ranks fourth on Penn State's freshman three-pointers list with 35 treys. She needs fourth triples to move into a tie for fourth place with Tyra Grant (39; 2006-07).
The Lady Lions will break for a week for exams and will be back in action on Sun., Dec. 19 versus Delaware at the BJC. The first 200 fans will receive a Big Ten backpack. PSU continues its seven-game homestand on Tues., Dec. 21 versus Drexel as part of a men's and women's doubleheader, beginning at 5 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.