Dec. 1, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Penn State Lady Lion junior guard Alex Bentley (Indianapolis, Ind.) and sophomore guard Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.) have been named to the Naismith Women's Award early-season watch list, it was announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The Naismith Women's Award is given to the nation's top female collegiate basketball player. Penn State is one of 11 schools with multiple players on the list and the only Big Ten team.
Bentley, who is also on the Wade Trophy and Wooden Award watch lists, is ninth in the Big Ten in scoring with a 15.3 mark this season. Additionally, she is in the top five in the conference in assists (4th/6.3), free throw percentage (4th/.923) and steals (5th/2.9). The Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year was the Nugget Classic Tournament MVP after averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals in two games last weekend. Bentley turned in her first career double-double Wednesday night with 15 points and a personal-best 15 assists in the win over #14/13 North Carolina. Bentley needs 23 points to become the 33rd player in school history with 1,000 points.
The Indianapolis native was instrumental in helping the Lady Lions return NCAA Tournament last year for the first time since 2005 with a 25-10 record. She became the 11th different Lady Lion to garner All-Big Ten first team honors last season after finishing in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in scoring (12th/14.4), assists (2nd/5.0), field goal percentage (14th/.446), free throw percentage (11th/.798) and assist-to-turnover ratio (4th/1.7). Bentley was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team after averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.0 steals in three tourney contests. Additionally, she registered seven 20-point games, including a pair of 20-point performances in the NCAA Tournament.
Lucas continues to impress in her sophomore season, averaging a team-best 18.7 points per game, which is second in the Big Ten. She was recently named to the Nugget Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two wins. Additionally, Lucas was the Lady Lion Classic MVP after averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in a pair of wins. Lucas reached the 600-point plateau with 12 points at Delaware (11/17) to become the third-fastest player in school history to reach the mark (Kelly Mazzante & Susan Robinson; 33 games). The Narberth, Pa. native is sixth on Penn State's career three-pointers list with 129, just 42 games in to her career.
Lucas garnered 2011 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2011 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year accolades after a record-breaking rookie campaign. The Narberth, Pa. native shattered the Big Ten and Penn State single-season record for three-pointers (112) and also broke Kelly Mazzante's Penn State freshman season scoring record with 552 tallies. The All-Big Ten third team choice finished fourth in the NCAA in three-point field goals made and 11th in three-point field goal percentage. Additionally, Lucas was seventh in the conference in scoring with a 15.8 average.
The Lady Lions travel to Texas Tech in the return game of the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge Saturday. Last season, Penn State earned a 76-68 win at home over the Red Raiders. The Lady Lions are 3-2 all-time against TTU with wins in the last two games. PSU dropped a 79-65 decision in the only meeting in Lubbock on Dec. 21, 2004. Penn State opens a three-game homestand against Virginia Tech on Tuesday, Dec. 6. 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.
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.