EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern got out to a fast start and never looked back as the Wildcats handed the Penn State women's basketball team a 78-63 loss in Big Ten action Thursday night.
Senior Teniya Page led the Lady Lions with 15 points points and moved into fourth place in the Penn State career scoring record books in the process. Freshman Karisma Ortiz registered a career high-tying 12 points and team-best seven rebounds, while Jaida Travascio-Green rounded out the Lady Lions in double figures with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northwestern got out to a quick 15-2 lead just over four minutes into the game as the Wildcats converted six of their first seven attempts from the field. The Lady Lions gained some momentum in the final five minutes of the period as four points from Page, three from senior Amari Carter and two from sophomore Alisia Smith helped Penn State close the term on a 9-3 streak. The PSU defense held Northwestern to a 1-for-7 clip from the field in the final 4:27 as Penn State pulled within 18-11 heading into the second quarter.
- The Wildcats stretched their lead to 25-13 three minutes into the second stanza. The Lady Lions were back within single digits at 27-18 with 3:51 on the clock, but Northwestern closed the half on a 13-4 streak to take a 40-22 lead at the break.
- The Wildcat advantage reached 44-22 just over a minute into the second half before Page and Carter fueled a 9-0 Penn State streak that brought the Lady Lions within 44-31 with 7:04 left on the third-quarter clock.
- Abi Scheid's fourth three-pointer of the night had the Wildcats back up by 17 at 56-39 before Penn State scored six of the third quarter's final eight points to put the score at 58-45 through three stanzas.
- The Wildcats scored seven of the first nine points of the fourth quarter, and Penn State wasn't able to recover as Northwestern took home the 78-63 win.
KEY NOTES
- With her 15 points tonight, Page moved into fourth place on Penn State's career scoring leaderboard. She surpassed former standout Tyra Grant's 2,044 points (2006-10). Page's career total now sits at 2,058.
- Page registered her 41st-straight double-digit scoring game and 102nd career double figure effort.
- Ortiz' 12 points matched her previous career high of 12 that was set on Jan. 17 against Ohio State. Ortiz added a Big Ten career-high seven rebounds. The freshman also dished a team high-tying three assists.
- Ten of Travascio-Green's 12 points came in the fourth quarter.
- Freshman Lauren Ebo also pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Lady Lions on the boards.
- Northwestern's win snapped their 13-game losing streak to Penn State.
STAT STANDOUTS
- Penn State finished the game shooting 33.8 percent (23-for-68) from the field compared to Northwestern's 47.6 percent (30-for-63) mark.
- The Wildcats held a 17-4 edge in points off turnovers. Penn State had 12 turnovers compared to NU's nine.
- The Lady Lions won the battle of the boards, 40-38, marking the first time this season that Penn State has lost while outrebounding its opponent.
- Lindsey Pulliam led the Wildcats with 22 points, while Sheid followed with 14.
UP NEXT
- The Lady Lions remain on the road Sunday to take on Minnesota on the Big Ten Network.
- Tipoff from Minneapolis is slated for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT.