UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A career high 17 points for Siyeh Frazier last week against Cal propelled a Lady Lions' offense that was held relatively quiet against the Golden Bears. She followed that career performance with a 15-point burst against Fordham for her third straight game in double figures.
The junior guard's performance may have surprised some in the stands, but to her teammates and coaches, this has been a long time coming.
"I think it was just her coming out in games and doing," senior guard Amari Carter said. "We can see in practice what she can do. She's a great defender, but her attacking the rim and slashing always helped us a lot and creates shots for the shooters. Her bringing that to the game has really helped us. That's something we've seen so I'm happy everyone else is noticing that."
Frazier's defensive tenacity has long been her calling card for the Lady Lions, often drawing the toughest assignment on defense and creating havoc with steals.
The defense is still there, but hard offseason work has made a new player on the offensive end.
"I absolutely think the game has slowed down for her," head coach Coquese Washington said. "She's put a lot of work in both last summer and this summer to elevate her game. She's a much better 3-point shooter, she's in better shape and I think she's playing with a lot more confidence because of the work that she's put in. She's a really steady player for us and consistent and someone we can count on, on both ends of the floor."
This offseason change has provided early season aid for the duo of Carter and fellow senior guard Teniya Page. Carter has had a slow start in the scoring department, and sharp shooter Jaida Travascio-Green has been forced to miss the start of the season due to an injury.
While many of the characters in the backcourt are the same, Frazier's game is clearly different from years past. Her roots still remain on the defensive side, but she is embracing the larger role on offense.
"I don't think anything felt different from other games," Frazier said. "I think it was just me more coming into myself and into my role as a bigger part of this team. I think along with defense a point of emphasis for me was to show my offensive abilities."
Through three games Frazier is averaging 14 points per game, second to only Page. While pleased with the start on offense, Frazier's defensive mindset is imminent when describing the basics of her game.
"I think to me defense is important because it completes the game," Frazier said "The game is about scoring but also getting stops. Sometimes it doesn't matter how many points you score but how many stops you get."
Her 10 steals through three games is exactly the type of defense Penn State expects from the junior guard moving forward. But her impact is felt beyond the defensive end of the court now. Her development is one of the early season takeaways for the Lady Lions squad. Grouped with Carter and Page, this trio forms a backcourt that will be formidable for any Big Ten team to approach.
"I definitely think she can be one of the best guards in our conference with her continued growth," Washington said. "She has tremendous athleticism and her basketball IQ has grown. She's becoming a smarter player and understanding time and score and what needs to happen. She's somebody who can make those momentum changing plays. As she continues to do that more consistently I think her potential is limitless."
