Postgame Quotes: Head Coach Coquese Washington and Siyeh Frazier
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's basketball team dropped a close 66-62 battle to Michigan Sunday afternoon in Big Ten action at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The Lady Lions hosted their 13th-annual Play4Kay Game Benefiting Pink Zone. A total of 409 survivors were in attendance, celebrating a collective 2,771 years, 4 months and 26 days of survivorship.
Senior Teniya Page moved into sole possession of fifth place on Penn State's career scoring charts thanks to her team-best 17-point performance. Junior Siyeh Frazier followed with 12 points, while senior Amari Carter chipped in 10.
This is what 2,771 years, 4 months and 26 days of survivorship looks like 💕 #BringTheRoar pic.twitter.com/No2aZwGCvS
— Penn State Lady Lion Basketball (@PennStateWBB) February 10, 2019
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Michigan held an early 7-4 lead four minutes in, but the Lady Lions responded with a 12-0 stretch over the next five minutes. Penn State forced five Michigan turnovers during the streak and the Lady Lions went 5-for-6 from the field with five different point scorers as PSU took a 16-7 lead and forced a Michigan timeout with 1:09 on the clock. The Wolverines scored the final five points of the term, but the Lady Lions took a 16-12 advantage into the second quarter.
- Sophomore Alisia Smith recorded back-to-back baskets in the first minute of the second term and freshman Karisma Ortiz drained a three-pointer two minutes later to put together a 7-2 quarter-opening run that stretched Penn State's lead to 23-14.
- The Lady Lions were still up by nine at 25-16, but the Wolverines used nine points from Hailey Brown to close the half on a 15-5 run and take a 31-30 lead at the break.
- The Wolverines clung to their one-point lead three and a half minutes into the second half at 36-35, but five points from Carter capped off a 9-3 Lady Lion spurt that put Penn State back on top, 43-38, with 5:04 left on the third-quarter clock.
- Michigan's Brown hit her fifth and sixth three-pointers as the Wolverines scored eight of the quarter's final nine points jump back in front, 46-44, heading into the final stanza.
- The Lady Lions knotted the score at 47-47 two minutes into the fourth quarter. The Wolverines were able to pull ahead by four at a minute later, but four points from Page and Frazier, and three from Carter allowed the Lady Lions to score 11 of the next 14 points as Penn State took a 60-56 edge with 3:23 to play.
- Michigan scored the next six points to go up 62-60 with 2:14 left on the clock. A pair of Page free throws tied the score at 62-62 seven seconds later. The Lady Lion offense wasn't able to come up with the points it needed down the stretch and Michigan's Nicole Munger scored the final four points of the game to send the Wolverines home with the 66-62 victory.
KEY NOTES
- There were 409 survivors were in attendance at the 13th-annual Play4Kay Game Benefitting Pink Zone. The 409 survivors gathered on the court at halftime to celebrated 2,771 years, 4 months and 26 days of collective survivorship.
- Page moved her career total to 2,043 points, moving her into sole possession of fifth place on Penn State's all-time scoring list. She is one point away from Tyra Grant's fourth-place total of 2,044 points.
- Page's seven free throws moved her into second-place on the career free throws made chart with 518 in 112 games. Page surpasses Kahadeejah Herbert (511; 1982-85).
- Page's four steals tied her Big Ten career high and marked a new season high. Frazier last recorded four steals against Michigan on Jan. 17, 2016.
- Frazier's six field goals tied a career high last made at Ohio State on Feb. 6. She also ties her Big Ten career high for the fourth time also set at Ohio State.
- Ebo tied her Big Ten career high in rebounds for the third time with nine. She last recorded nine rebounds at Rutgers on Jan. 27.
- The Lady Lions turned the ball over just seven times, the second-lowest mark of the season. Penn State had just five turnovers against American on Dec. 16.
STAT STANDOUTS
- Penn State held a 23-2 edge in points off turnovers. The Lady Lions forced 22 Michigan turnovers compared to their own seven.
- The Lady Lions had a 12-0 edge in fast-break points.
- Penn State recorded a conference season-best 13 steals. Frazier and Page snatched four steals apiece.
- The Lady Lions shot just 31.5 percent (23-for-73) from the field, compared to Michigan's 40.8 percent (20-for-49) clip.
- Michigan was paced by Brown's 20 points. Naz Hillmon followed with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
COACH'S TAKE
Head Coach Coquese Washington
- "We were a couple possessions away. Teniya had a good look at the end. We have to keep working to figure out how we can get those one or two possessions to close these games out. Hats off to a good Michigan team."
- "The atmosphere was incredible. This is probably our favorite game to play because we know the energy in the building and the support that the community brings to our Pink Zone game means a tremendous amount. We appreciate the support that our community and our fans give us on this day."
- Full transcript
UP NEXT
- The Lady Lions hit the road for their next two games, and four of their next five, beginning with an 8 p.m. Thursday night showdown at Northwestern.