Feb. 28, 2014
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The #12/8 Penn State Lady Lions (21-6, 12-3 Big Ten) close out the regular-season and will honor a very special senior class as they host Michigan 17-11, 8-7) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Seniors Talia East (Philadelphia, Pa.), Ariel Edwards (Elmont, N.Y.), Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.) and Dara Taylor (Wilmington, Del.) will be honored for Senior Day in a pregame ceremony at approximately 3 p.m.
PROMOTIONS: Penn State Alumni Association members can show their membership card and receive a ticket for $5. It is also a Subway Full Court 4-Pack game. Fans can get four tickets and one voucher for four 6" subs and four 21 oz. fountain drinks at any of the seven State College Subway locations for just $40.
LIMITED BAG POLICY: Penn State has implemented a limited bag policy at all home athletic events this season. One clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for medical needs, child care needs and general items as needed. Items that can fit in a pocket should remain in patrons' pockets (i.e. keys, cell phone, wallet, glasses, camera, sunscreen, lip balm, make-up). General items of this nature, including those that don't fit in patrons' pocket, can also be placed in a clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag. All clear bags will be inspected through the bag and article check stations as in prior years.
KIDS FUN ZONE: The Kids Fun Zone will be on the concourse with a caricature artist, face painter, senior class photo booth and a create-a-sign station.
TV: The game will air on BTN with Kevin Lee and Shelly Till calling play.
RADIO: The game is on the Penn State Sports Network and WRSC 1390 locally with Jerry Fisher and Julia Trogele calling the action. The audio feed is available at www.GoPSUsports.com.
LAST TIME OUT: The Lady Lions ran into a hot-shooting #17/16 Nebraska as the Huskers shot 72.7% (16-22) from three-point range en route to a 94-74 win over the Lions. Senior guard/forward Ariel Edwards was 10-for-13 from the field en route to 24 points, which ties her career high set twice previously. She also knocked down a career-high four three-pointers. Fellow senior Maggie Lucas scored all 17 of her points in the second half. Dara Taylor added 10 points, four assists and three steals in the loss, while freshman Peyton Whitted added six points and two rebounds off of the bench. Senior Talia East snagged 12 rebounds to go along with seven points.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN: The Wolverines, who are 17-11 overall and 8-7 in Big Ten play, have won two of their last three outings. Michigan has been stellar on the road this season, posting a 9-1 record overall and 6-1 mark in conference play. Shannon Smith leads the way for the Wolverines with team-bests of 14.0 points per game and 3.4 assists. Siera Thompson has connected on a 63 three-pointers this season on the way to a 13.6 scoring average. She is also hitting on 45.3% of her shots from downtown. Cyesha Goree is nearly averaging a double-double at 12.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, while Nicole Elmblad is the fourth Wolverine averaging double figures at 11.9 markers per game.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE WOLVERINES: The Lady Lions are 30-9 all-time against Michigan, including wins in the last six contests. PSU is 15-2 in games played in Happy Valley against the Wolverines. The Lady Lions have won their last 10 home games against Michigan, dating back to Feb. 25, 2001. Penn State swept the series last year with a 59-49 win in Ann Arbor and a 68-57 win in the BJC in the 2013 Pink Zone at Penn State game.
LAST TIME VERSUS UM: With 14,173 fans, including a record 621 breast cancer survivors, filling the Bryce Jordan Center, the Lady Lions clinched a share of their second-straight and seventh overall Big Ten regular season title with a 68-57 victory over Michigan on Feb. 24, 2013. The Lady Lions sported four players in double-figures with Maggie Lucas leading the way with 21 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Alex Bentley accounted for 11 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds, while Mia Nickson added 11 tallies and eight rebounds. Ariel Edwards rounded out the double figure scorers with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
ANOTHER SOLID EFFORT BY ARI: Senior guard/forward Ariel Edwards matched her career high with 24 points at Nebraska on Feb. 24. She was efficient on the evening, connecting on 10-for-13 shots from the field, including a 4-for-5 night from three-point range. Edwards also had 24 points earlier this season at South Dakota State (12/11/13) and during her junior year against Detroit (11/23/12) in the Cal State Northridge Thanksgiving Tournament. The four triples are also a career high.
DARA DISHES: Senior guard Dara Taylor surpassed the 200-assist milestone for her Penn State career at Purdue on Jan. 30. Taylor is the 30th player in school history to accomplish the feat, but did so in just two years. With 237 helpers in her Penn State career, Taylor is tied for 19th in program history with Kelly Mazzante (237; 2000-04). Taylor used a four-assist effort at Nebraska on Feb. 24 to pass Jenny Kretchmar (234; 1989-93) for 20th spot. Taylor needs 10 helpers to tie Sue Martin (247; 1976-80) for 18th position. For her collegiate career, Taylor has 479 helpers.
FABULOUS SENIOR CLASS: The senior class of Maggie Lucas, Ariel Edwards and Talia East is becoming one of the winningest classes in Penn State history. The trio has won 98 games in their four years in the Blue & White, which are the third-most wins by a class in Penn State history. Next up on the list for the senior group is the Class of 1995 that featured Carla Coleman, Katina Mack and Missy Masley, which won 100 games. The fourth member of the senior class, Dara Taylor, has been on the roster for 73 of those wins after transferring from Maryland after her sophomore season.
The Lady Lions head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State receives a first round bye and will play its first game on Friday, March 7. Seeding will be determined following the final weekend of regular-season play. The first three rounds of the tourney will be televised on BTN and the Championship will air on ESPN2.
For the 15th time, Penn State will host the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds on March 23 and 25, 2014. All-session tickets are $30 for adults and $17 for youth and students. There is also an all-session group rate for groups of 20 or more of any age at $20 per package. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1-800-NITTANY or visiting the Penn State athletics ticket office between the hours of 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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.