Feb. 15, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - After a 1-1 week, the Penn State Lady Lion (21-6, 10-3) remained in both women's college basketball polls, landing in the 23rd position in the Associated Press poll and the 25th slot in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll this week. The Lady Lions dropped a 60-49 decision to #11/10 Michigan State on Thursday, but rebounded for an 80-77 win over Indiana Sunday. Penn State is back in action Thursday at Ohio State on Big Ten Network at 7 p.m.
The Lady Lions are currently in second place in the Big Ten standings with a 21-6 overall record and 10-3 mark in conference play. Penn State has six of its last seven games and is a game behind #11/10 Michigan State in the Big Ten standings. The Lady Lions' 10 conference wins are the most since the 2004-05 squad had 13 Big Ten victories.
Leading the way for Penn State is freshman guard Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.), who has claimed seven Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. She averages a team-best 16.7 points per game and is second in the Big Ten with a 46.2% three-point field goal percentage. Sophomore guard Alex Bentley (Indianapolis, Ind.) accounts for 14.8 points and 5.4 assists, which is second in the Big Ten, per outing. Sophomore Mia Nickson (Lansdale, Pa.) (10.0 ppg) also averages double figures for Penn State while junior Zhaque Gray (Chicago, Ill.) contributes 9.9 points per outing.
After a bye date, the Lady Lions return to the Bryce Jordan Center for their final two regular season games. Penn State meets Purdue on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., where Chesapeake Energy customers can purchase tickets for $5. The Lady Lions close out the regular season with their Annual WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State game against Northwestern on Sunday, Feb. 27 at noon. Penn State will donate $3 from every single-game ticket sold to the fundraising efforts. 2010-11 Lady Lion Basketball Single-game tickets are available by calling 814-863-1000 or 800-NITTANY.
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.