Penn State Drops Cal Classic Opener To Long Beach StatePenn State Drops Cal Classic Opener To Long Beach State
Mark Selders

Penn State Drops Cal Classic Opener To Long Beach State

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Penn State women's basketball team dropped a tough 64-56 battle to Long Beach State in the opening game of the Cal Classic Friday evening at Haas Pavillion.
 
Penn State will now square off against North Carolina Central Saturday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT in the Cal Classic consolation game.
 
Freshman Makenna Marisa finished with a career-best 16 points to lead Penn State. Junior Kamaria McDaniel followed with 12 points to extend her double-digit scoring streak to 13-straight games.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Long Beach State got out to a quick 7-2 lead, but Penn State answered back with eight of the next 12 points to pull within one at 11-10 with 4:08 left on the first-quarter clock. The Beach responded with an 11-3 streak to close the quarter and take a 22-13 lead into the second term.
  • A pair of three-pointers from Marisa helped Penn State score 11 of the first 17 points of the second quarter to pull the Lady Lions within four at 28-24 with under five minutes left on the first-half clock.
  • Penn State remained within four after baskets from sophomore Bexley Wallace and freshman Anna Camden, but The Beach ended the half with a layup to take a 34-28 lead into the break.
  • Marisa opened the second half with a three-pointer before The Beach rattled off eight of the next 10 points to claim a 42-33 advantage halfway through the term.
  • The Long Beach State lead reached as much as 10 at 47-37 with 2:16 on the third-quarter clock before Marisa drilled her fourth three-pointer of the game and junior Alisia Smith added a free throw to pull PSU within 47-41 heading into the final term.
  • LBSU scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to put its lead back at 10 at 51-41 with 7:13 to play. Penn State fought back as a McDaniel three-pointer capped a 7-2 run that narrowed the LBSU lead to 53-48 with four minutes left. The Lady Lions continued to battle, but wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way as Long Beach State held on for the 64-56 win.

 
KEY NOTES

  • Marisa's career-best 16 points bested her previous career high of 15, which she recorded in the Nov. 5 season opener at Towson.
  • McDaniel has now scored in double figures in every game this season and 13-straight games dating back to last season.
  • Junior Alisia Smith led Penn State with eight rebounds.
  • Hagans finished with a career-high and team-best four assists. It bested her previous career mark of two.
  • Penn State shot 40.7 percent from the field (22-for-54) and 27.3 percent (6-for-22) from three-point range.
  • The Lady Lions were 85.7 percent (6-for-7) from the free throw line. Penn State entered the game averaging 17 made free throws per game.
  • Long Beach State scored 20 points off 24 PSU turnovers. LBSU also held a 34-20 advantage in points in the paint.

 
UP NEXT

  • Penn State concludes the Cal Classic Saturday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT against North Carolina Central.