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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Defending its undefeated home record, the Penn State women's basketball team earned a 70-56 victory over No. 13/13 Tennessee at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Nov. 20.
The Lady Lions (3-1) earned the win against fellow NCAA blueblood program and are 2-1 in their home venue - holding a 2-9 overall mark - notching its last win over the Lady Vols in Rec Hall on Jan. 27, 1985.
Penn State earned its first win over a top-25 program since Feb. 11, 2016 when the Lady Lions took down then-No. 15/17 Michigan State and its first home victory over a top-25 team since it defeated No. 14/15 Northwestern Dec. 31, 2015. Furthermore, the Blue and White picked up its first double-digit win over a top-25 team since it defeated No. 23/22 Iowa 87-71 Jan. 5, 2014.
The Lady Lions have started their season 3-0 at the Bryce Jordan Center six times in the Coquese Washington era, including in back-to-back seasons as they started 3-0 in the 2015-16 campaign.
In a contest that saw seven lead changes, Penn State had control from almost the start of the game using three big runs en route to victory. The Lady Lions used an 11-4 run in the first quarter and an 18-4 run to close out the half to take the lead for good over Tennessee. Finally, Penn State had a 13-0 run in the final quarter of play against UT. Penn State largest lead came with 1:10 left in the second half - a comfortable 15-point advantage, while UT's largest lead was just two points with 9:13 left in the first quarter.
Sophomore Teniya Page (Chicago, Ill.) recorded her second-straight 20-point game and eighth of her career, leading Penn State with 29 points on the evening. Freshman Amari Carter (Washington, D.C.) notched her first career double-digit effort, pouring in 11 points for the Blue and White, while Sierra Moore (Hanover, Pa.) added 10 points to the PSU tally.
Senior Kaliyah Mitchell (Stone Mountain, Ga.) clinched her second-straight double-double of the season and ninth of her career with 12 points and 11 rebounds. For the second time in her career, Mitchell has posted back-to-back double-double efforts as she had two-straight in the 2015-16 campaign. Mitchell also added a career-high three blocks, one assist and one steal to her stat line on the night. Senior Peyton Whitted (Suwanee, Ga.) added eight rebounds and Moore dished out a team-high four assists.
Tennessee (3-1) had two players notch double-doubles on the evening with Mercedes Russell scoring a team-high 19 points and tying a team-best 11 rebounds, while Jamie Nared had 18 points and 11 boards for the Lady Volunteers.
Turning Point
With 8:07 left in the second quarter
An easy jumper from Carter with 8:07 left in the second quarter ignited an 18-4 run to close out the half for the Lady Lions. Penn State started on an 11-0 run after the Carter jumper before a 3-pointer from the freshman guard forced a Tennessee timeout. However, the timeout did not slow the Lady Lions as Lindsey Spann (Laurel, Md.) came out of the timeout and dropped a trey and Moore made two free throws. The Lady Volunteers managed four points in the final two minutes of the half but it was Penn State that would take a double-digit lead into halftime that they would not surrender in the second half of play.
Difference Makers
Penn State
- F Kaliyah Mitchell - Tallied her second-straight double-double and ninth of her career with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Added a career-high three blocked shots, one steal and one assist.
- G Teniya Page -Scored a team-high 29 points to recorded her second-straight 20-point game, while notching her third-straight game with three-or-more 3-pointers going 3-for-6 from long-range.
- G Amari Carter -Earned the first double-digit scoring contest of her career with 11 points for the Lady Lions, also dished out two assists.
- G Sierra Moore -Rounded out the double-digit scoring for Penn State with 10 points.
- Fast Break Points -The Lady Lions pushed the pace of the contest all night long, scoring 16 points off of fast break compared to Tennessee's four.
Tennessee
- F Mercedes Russell - Had a team-high 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and went 5-for-6 from the free throw line.
- F Jamie Nared - Scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
- G Diamond DeShields - Tallied eight points on the night and dished out a team-best five assists.
By Quarter
First Quarter
Tennessee would be the first to light up the scoreboard but the Lady Lions quickly found their pace going on an 8-0 run, including perfect 3-point shooting with three treys to take an early 11-4 lead over the Lady Vols with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter. Tennessee worked its way back within one of Penn State to trail, 15-14, heading into the second quarter.
Penn State 15, Tennessee 14
Second Quarter
After a slow start to the quarter from both teams, Carter opened up the Penn State scoring with a jumper that would lead to an 18-4 run for the Lady Lions. Carter came down the floor with 3:21 left in the half to drop and 3-pointer and force a Tennessee timeout. However, the timeout proved unsuccessful as Spann drained the fifth Lady Lions 3-pointer and extend the Penn State lead to 29-16 with 2:22 left in the half. Four points from Tennessee and a fast break layup from Page closed out the first half with Penn State holding a 13-point lead.
Penn State 33, Tennessee 20
Third Quarter
Entering the third quarter, the two teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes with Penn State maintaining an eight-point lead, 40-32, at the media timeout. The Lady Vols chipped away at the Penn State advantage coming within four on a 6-0 run and force Washington to call a timeout with 1:40 remaining. The Lady Lions held onto a slight four-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Penn State 44, Tennessee 40
Fourth Quarter
UT came within two of the Lady Lions, but again Penn State responded going on a 13-0 run to take a 57-42 lead with 5:43 left to play. The Lady Lions continued to push the pace of the game forcing Tennessee to foul before taking the 70-56 victory at the BJC.
Penn State 70, Tennessee 56
Up Next
Penn State hits the road for the San Juan Shootout in Daytona Beach, Fla. It will play two games in two days, beginning when the Lady Lions and Georgia State clash in a Thanksgiving Day game Thursday, Nov. 24 at 3:30 p.m. Penn State will close out the tournament on Friday, Nov. 25 against Georgetown at 1:15 p.m.
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