Feb. 14, 2014
By Mike Esse, GoPSUSports.com Student Staff Writer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It was essentially another day at the office for reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Maggie Lucas Thursday night in Penn State's (19-5, 10-2) 71-63 win on the road against Indiana (17-7, 4-7).
Her line: 32 points, six rebounds and two assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
Those two rebounds vaulted Lucas into elite company and a spot of her own in the Penn State history books. Lucas became the 29th member of Penn State's 500-rebound club and the only player in school history to notch 2,000 points, 500 boards, 250 assists and 200 steals.
Assistant coach Fred Chmiel said postgame that the accomplishment comes as no surprise, given Lucas' unmatched work ethic and desire.
"Maggie is a special player and a special person," Chmiel said. "She's a tireless worker with a phenomenal work ethic and wants to be the best at everything she does. If she plays checkers, she wants to beat you and if she doesn't she will be disappointed. That's the kind of person she is."
Those characteristics showed Thursday as she went 10-for-16 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Her 32 points marked the seventh career 30-plus point game of her career.
It was clear early in the game Lucas would have the hot hand as she started 4-for-4 from the field. Chmiel said from the outset Lucas was primed for a big night because of her approach.
"She played a very cerebral game," Chmiel said of Lucas. "She controlled her speeds well, found openings and exploited them, made extra passes, took advantage of many opportunities and played high minutes and that is what you expect out of Maggie."
Lucas' play was contagious against the Hoosiers as three other Lady Lions scored nine or more points, led by Dara Taylor's 12 points and eight assists. Ariel Edwards added 10 points and nine rebound and Talia East had nine points and two blocks.
Penn State shot 50 percent from the field as a team, 53 percent from downtown and went 12-of-13 from the charity stripe in their school record seventh Big Ten road win of the season.
Chmiel credits Lucas' ability to get her teammates involved while having a large personal offensive output as to why Penn State was able to fend off the Hoosiers.
"Maggie gets double teamed all the time and it is a difficult night out every evening," said Chmiel. "The way she distributed the ball tonight and the way her teammates found her and how she reciprocated made it an easy game to have good offensive flow and efficiency."
The Lady Lions are back on a two game winning streak and return home to the Bryce Jordan Center Sunday for the 8th Annual Pink Zone game. As they have learned on a few occasions this season, any Big Ten team can beat any opponent, regardless of the venue.
That's why Chmiel says they must continue to take it one game at a time if they want to close out the season in a favorable fashion.
"We are trying to conquer every battle," Chmiel said. "We have to take it one game at a time because the bulls eye is on our back and we know we will get every team's best effort. Wisconsin will come in trying to upset us and we expect their best effort and must take care of business."
The Badgers and Lady Lions clash at 1 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2.