UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Lady Lions began their season with an exhilarating 74-72 win over Providence in a game that came down to the buzzer. After trailing by 14 points with just over 8:30 remaining in the game, Penn State was able to mount a comeback by holding the Friars to just nine points in the fourth quarter.
Penn State took advantage of the opportunities that it was given at the free throw line by shooting 15-19 from the charity stripe throughout the contest. The most memorable moment of the game also came from line as sophomore forward Sam Breen knocked in two go-ahead free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock.
With the game in Breen's hands, she tried to block out the nerves.
"I was definitely nervous," Breen said. "I was just trying to keep in my head that you've done it 1,000 times before, so just try to stay calm."
Head Coach Coquese Washington also noted the importance of knocking in the freebies.
"In the fourth quarter, in particular, we made some pretty big free throws down the stretch. Kamaria [McDaniel] made two big free throws and Sam, obviously, with the two game-winning free throws."
Penn State's 15 made free throws, compared to Providence's six, gave the Lady Lions the advantage they needed to edge out the Friars.
However, the free throws could've been all for nothing if Penn State's defense didn't tighten up at the end of each half. After letting up 30 points in the first quarter, Providence was only able to muster up 19 points in the second and fourth quarters combined.
"We got some big stops when we needed them." Washington said. "We were a lot more attentive to the way we wanted to defend."
Siyeh Frazier, Amari Carter and Kamaria McDaniel were a handful of the Lady Lions that were noticeably effective with their on-ball defense. McDaniel was clapping all night long on defense after preventing the ballhandler from getting past her after a variety of dribble moves.
"She's a big spark for us." Washington said of McDaniel. "She's an emotional player and the team feeds off her. She's going to make sure everybody has a lot of energy."
The energy was received by her teammates as the Friars were held scoreless in the final 1:56 of the game and the Lady Lions finished their historic comeback.
Between Penn State's effectiveness at the free throw line and their suffocating defense down the stretch, they were able to emerge victorious in what Washington called, "The most exciting win we could possibly have."
The Lady Lions won't have much time to cherish their victory as they will be tested again on Sunday against #24 California. The game is set to tipoff at 2 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center.
