Jan. 9, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Lady Lion basketball team will welcome new Big Ten foe Rutgers to the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time on Saturday for a noon tip. Excited for the challenge ahead, the Lady Lions are focusing on the process for continued improvement.
Penn State Process
Penn State is continuing to make strides as the season progresses through Big Ten play. Preparing for Rutgers, the Lady Lions are focusing on the little things that will make game-changing impacts.
"Communication. Energy. Those little things that can make a difference," said sophomore guard Keke Sevillian.
Known as a second-half rallying team, the Blue and White are looking to exert its second-half energy into the first 20 minutes of the game.
"Right now, we're just focusing on the little things that will lead to better outcomes," said sophomore forward Peyton Whited. "When we focus on the process, we do better. That's our job right now; focusing on playing 40-minute games."
Scouting Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights travel to Happy Valley hot off a win over Michigan Wednesday, which improved their record to 11-4 (2-2).
"They're a very athletic team," said head coach Coquese Washington. "They do a really, really good job of rebounding the ball and using their athleticism to pound the glass."
Rutgers forward Betnijah Laney leads the Big Ten in rebounding averaging 12.4 per game. Being aggressive and crashing the boards will be a must for the Lady Lions as well as tracking Rutgers leading scorer, Tyler Scaife. Scaife leads the Knights with a 16.8 scoring average and shoots 81.4 percent at the free throw line.
"They've got an outstanding player in Tyler Scaife," said Washington. "She can create her own shot. Kahleah Copper is incredibly athletic and finishes around the rim in a variety of ways. Then you've got Betnijah Laney who does it all for them and really does a great job of making big baskets and big shots. So, I think they've got a full complement as far as offensively of what they can do scoring inside and outside."
Specific attention to those three players [Laney, Copper and Scaife] by the Penn State defense would make a major impact that could shut down the Rutgers offense could result in an upset.
Up Next
After Rutgers, the Lady Lions will travel to Lincoln to take on Big Ten rival Nebraska this Thursday at 7 p.m, which will air on the Big Ten Network.