Nov. 20, 2011
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COLUMBIA, S.C. - The #11/12 Penn State Lady Lions (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) used a 13-0 run, including the final six tallies coming from Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.), over the final 5:47 to earn a 55-50 come-from-behind win at South Carolina (3-1) Sunday. Lucas nailed a jumper with 1:22 left to give the Lady Lions the lead and clinched the win with a layup, followed by a pair of free throws in the final 22 seconds.
Lucas finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting and dished out a pair of assists. Sophomore center Talia East (Philadelphia, Pa.) had by far her best career performance with six points to go along with personal bests of 15 rebounds and seven blocks. Her seven rejections are tied for third-most in school history.
Sophomore Ariel Edwards (Elmont, N.Y.) also reached double figures with 10 points via a 5-for-7 shooting performance and snared seven rebounds. Zhaque Gray (Chicago, Ill.) and Alex Bentley (Indianapolis, Ind.) each added six points in the win. The Lady Lions were held without a three-point field goal for the first time since Jan. 7, 2007 (vs. Michigan).
Both teams came out of the locker room ready to fire as Penn State scored on its first four possessions, including a pair of buckets by Edwards, to take an 8-5 lead with 17:38 remaining. The Gamecocks responded with a 9-2 run over the next two and a half minutes to take a 14-10 lead with 15 minutes to play in the opening half.
East's baby hook shot with 12:04 remaining snapped a four-minute scoreless drought and start a 6-0 run for the Lady Lions. Lucas made a pair of free throws and East capped the run with another baby hook shot to make it a 16-14 lead for Penn State. However, the Gamecocks would score the game's next six points to take a 20-16 lead as the Lady Lions were in the midst of a nearly seven minute scoreless drought.
Lucas got the Lions back on the board with a layup to kick-start a 10-0 run that also featured a pair of free throws from Alex Bentley (Indianapolis, Ind.), a layup by Gray and a jumper by Marisa Wolfe (Ford City, Pa.) to give the Lady Lions a 26-20 lead with 49 seconds left. The Gamecocks capped the scoring with a layup on the ensuing possession to send the teams into the break with Penn State leading 26-22.
Lucas led all scorers with eight points, while East had a solid opening half with six points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots. The Lady Lions shot an even 50% (11-22) from the field and held the Gamecocks to just 23.7% (9-38).
South Carolina opened the scoring in the second half with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to take a 27-26 lead just over a minute in, but the Lady Lion responded with back-to-back jumpers and two free throws from Gray to regain the lead at 32-27 with 17 minutes remaining. After an exchange of scores, the Gamecocks reeled off a 13-2 run to establish a 42-36 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
The lead held steady until the Lady Lions turned up the defense and scored the game's next seven points to close within a point at 50-49 with 2:51 remaining. Lucas then gave the Lady Lions the lead with a jumper with 1:22 left and then made it a three-point game with a layup with 22 seconds left. On the ensuing South Carolina possession, Lucas stole a pass and was fouled and proceeded to salt the win away with a pair of free throws.
GAME NOTES: The Lady Lions improve to 6-4 all-time against South Carolina ... The Lady Lions were held without a three-point field goal for the first time since Jan. 7, 2007 (vs. Michigan) ... Talia East rejected a career-high seven shots, which ties her for the third-highest single-game total in school history ... East has blocked at least two shots in three of the first four games this season ... East also hauled in a career-high 15 rebounds ... After missing the first three games of the season due to concussion-like symptoms, Marisa Wolfe returned to the line up to tally four points on 2-of-3 shooting.
The Lady Lions close out their four-game road trip in Reno for the Nugget Classic. Penn State opens the tourney against Iowa State Friday, it is just the second meeting all-time with the Lions earning a 66-65 win in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. PSU will meet either Butler or the host Wolfpack in the second round. The Lady Lions return to the BJC on Nov. 30 to face nationally-ranked North Carolina in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Lady Lion Basketball season tickets are available by calling 814-867-2557. Season tickets are $117 for adults, $52 for youth and $91 for seniors. Single game tickets go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 11. 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 2012 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26 as the Lady Lions take on Minnesota in the Bryce Jordan Center. Last year, the Lady Lions donated nearly $200,000 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, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital and Lewistown 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.
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