Feb. 22, 2018
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LINCOLN, Neb. -- Even with tying the school-record for fewest turnovers in a game, the Penn State women's basketball team couldn't overcome a 28 percent shooting night from the floor in a 59-51 loss at Nebraska on Thursday (Feb. 22) inside Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The Lady Lions (15-13, 6-9 B1G) hit 18-of-64 shots in the game to account for the 28 percent clip, while the Huskers (20-8, 11-4 B1G) were slightly better from the field at 19-of-60 to finish at 32 percent shooting. It was the free throw stripe that hampered Penn State, as the Blue and White hit 11-of-18 free throws and the Big Red netted 19-of-25 freebies.
Penn State committed just six turnovers in the game, tying the school-record for fewest missteps in a contest. It is ninth time in program history that Penn State committed just six turnovers -- including the second time at Nebraska -- with five of those coming under head coach Coquese Washington.
Four Lady Lions finished in double-figures, led by 14 points from redshirt-sophomore Amari Carter (Washington, D.C.) and 11 from Siyeh Frazier (Detroit, Mich.). The Blue and white got 10 points each from Kamaria McDaniel (Inkster, Mich.) and Teniya Page (Chicago, Ill.).
Page became the 14th Lady Lion in program history to eclipse the 1,500-point mark for a career, ending the night with 1,506 points. In joining the 1,500-point club, Page becomes just the fifth Lady Lion with 1,500 points and 300 assists, joining Alex Bentley, Tanya Garner, Suzie McConnell and Tanisha Wright.
The double-digit scoring effort was the 13th-straight double-digit scoring game and her 20th of the season.
Carter reached double-digits for the sixth-straight game and 24th overall in 2017-18 and added four steals, two blocked shots, one assist and one rebound to her stat line.
The four steals moved her season total to 75 and pushed her up five spots on the single-season steals chart. In the game, she passed (in order) Maggie Lucas (72; 2012-13), Kelly Mazzante (72; 2000-01), Annie Troyan (72; 1981-82 and 73; 1982-83) and Jess Strom (74; 2002-03).
For the first time in her career, McDaniel scored in double-figures in a Big Ten contest. Her 10 points bested her previous conference high of seven points against Minnesota on Jan. 10, 2018.
Turning Point
At 7:31 left in the fourth quarter
After a Frazier steal and pass ahead to Carter for a layup to cut the Nebraska deficit to five points, 47-42, the Huskers used a 8-3 spurt that chewed up nearly four minutes on the clock to push its lead back to 10 points with 3:49 to play and Penn State was unable to make a final push.
Difference Makers
Penn State
- G Amari Carter -- Led Penn State with 14 points, adding four steals and two blocked shots.
- G Siyeh Frazier -- Tallied 11 points with five rebounds, five steals and four assists.
- G Teniya Page -- Chipped in 10 points and two assists.
- G Kamaria McDaniel -- Scored 10 points for the first double-digit scoring game of her career in Big Ten play.
- Low TOs -- Penn State committed a school-record-tying six turnovers in the game. It is the ninth tie in program history -- including the second time at Nebraska -- the Lady Lions had six missteps.
- Getting the Steal -- The Lady Lions posted their 15th double-digit steal game of the season with 12 swipes.
Nebraska
- C Kate Cain -- Had a double-double of 14 points and 20 rebounds. Added three blocked shots.
- G Maddie Simon -- Led all scorers with 16 points. Had six rebounds and one steal.
- G Hannah Whitish -- Had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.
- On the Glass -- Nebraska out-rebounded Penn State, 60-31, including 20 offensive boards that led to 17 second change points.
First Quarter
There wasn't much of a break in the first half, as the two teams committed just four turnovers - only one by Penn State -- and the half closed with just two fouls over the final five minutes. Nebraska pushed out to a 4-0 lead with 8:40 to play and built an 8-2 lead with 5:07 to play on a pair of Janay Morton free throws. The Lady Lions pulled back within one point, 8-7, after a De'Janae Boykin (Springdale, Md.) layup and a Carter 3-pointer with 4:17 to play. The Huskers closed the half with eight of the final 12 points to take a five-point lead into the first break in action.
at Nebraska 16, Penn State 11
Second Quarter
It was a low-scoring start to the second quarter, but Nebraska was able to swell the lead to six points, 22-16, on back-to-back jumpers from Whitish and Cain with 6:04 to play. Penn State then used an 8-5 spurt to make it a three-point game with 1:45 to play as McDaniel split a pair of free throws to draw the Blue and White within one possession at 27-24. The Huskers scored the final five points of the frame and took an eight-point lead into the break.
at Nebraska 32, Penn State 24
Third Quarter
Penn State was unable to cut into the deficit, while Nebraska wasn't able to add to the margin in a third quarter that saw each team score 13 points. Penn State shot 40 percent in the frame and limited Nebraska to 29 percent shooting. The Lady Lions didn't commit a turnover in the third quarter, but the Huskers owned a 16-6 edge on the glass, including six offensive boards. Frazier scored six points for the Blue and White, while Page added four and Carter knocked down a 3-pointer to account for the scoring.
at Nebraska 45, Penn State 37
Fourth Quarter
After Nebraska scored the first two points of the fourth quarter, Penn State responded with five-straight points to make it a five-point game, 47-42, with 8:01 left on the clock following a Carter fast break layup off a Frazier steal and assist. The Huskers pushed their lead back to 10 points with an 8-3 spurt over a 3:45 span and led 55-45 with 3:49 left. Penn State had opportunities, as they held Nebraska nearly seven minutes without a field goal, but the Huskers were able to hold on for the victory.
at Nebraska 32, Penn State 24
Up Next
Penn State will close out the regular season against Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 25 inside the Bryce Jordan Center in the 12th annual Play4Kay benefitting Pink Zone game. Tickets are still available by calling 1-800-NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or by visiting the Bryce Jordan Center box office. The game will tip at noon and air on ESPN2 as well as over the airwaves of the Penn State Radio Network.