TOWSON, Md. – The Penn State women's basketball team scored 55 points in the second half to come back for a 73-67 season-opening win over defending CAA champion Towson Tuesday evening. Head Coach Carolyn Kieger earned her 100th career head coaching victory and first win at Penn State.
A tough offensive first half had the Lady Lions trailing by eight early in the second half, but Penn State rallied to outscore the Tigers 25-13 in the third quarter to gain the separation it would need for the 73-67 win.
Four Lady Lions finished in double figures, led by 15 points from senior Siyeh Frazier and freshman Makenna Marisa. Twenty-eight of their combined 30 points came in the second half. Junior Kamaria McDaniel followed with 14 points, while classmate Alisia Smith recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first quarter was a defensive battle as both teams fought to find an offensive rhythm. Four of Penn State's opening quarter points came from the charity stripe while McDaniel and Frazier added baskets, but the Tigers held the narrow 11-8 edge after the opening term.
- The first three minutes of the second quarter were scoreless until McDaniel drained a three-pointer from the left wing at the 6:50 mark and sophomore Bexley Wallace followed with a layup to put the Lady Lions ahead 13-11 with six minutes to play.
- Towson responded with a 12-2 run over the next five-plus minutes to pull ahead 23-15 before freshman Shay Hagans drained a three to snap Penn State's drought. The Tigers added a free throw before the half expired to take a 24-18 lead into halftime.
- Towson scored the first basket of the second half to extend its lead to eight, but a layup from sophomore Lauren Ebo ignited a 6-0 Penn State run that trimmed the Tiger lead to 26-24 just under three minutes into the stanza.
- The Tigers were back in front by five at the 5:52 mark, but four free throws from Marisa, a jumper from freshman Mya Bembry and a big offensive put-back from Smith comprised an 8-0 run over a nearly two-minute stretch to put Penn State ahead 34-31 with 4:15 left in the third quarter.
- Towson knotted the score at 37-37 thanks to a three-pointer from Qierra Murray with 1:21 on the clock. Marisa drew another timely foul and drained both free throws before Frazier added two from the charity stripe and Smith tossed in a layup to cap a 6-0 quarter-ending run that put Penn State up 43-37.
- A Frazier layup and pair of Smith free throws had Penn State ahead 47-39 a minute and a half into the fourth quarter to pull Penn State ahead by eight. The Lady Lions had trailed by eight less than ten minutes prior.
- The Penn State lead was at least four until Towson put together an 8-4 run over a two-minute stretch that brought the Tigers within 62-60 with under two minutes to play.
- Smith made one of two attempts from the free throw line before Marisa came up with a huge steal and layup with 53 seconds to play to put Penn State's lead at 65-60.
- Towson wouldn't get closer than four the rest of the way as a basket from Hagans and six more PSU free throws sealed the 73-67 victory.
KEY NOTES
- Kieger's first win at Penn State was the 100th win of her head coaching career. She amassed a 99-64 record in five seasons at Marquette.
- Penn State scored 55 points in the second half, marking the first time Penn State scored 55 points in a half in nearly three years. The last time the Lady Lions racked up at least 55 points in a half was when Penn State tallied 64 in the first half against Saint Peter's on Nov. 13, 2016.
- Smith's double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) was her first double-double since Jan. 12, 2019 against Illinois.
- Six of Smith's rebounds were offensive boards. Penn State finished the game with a 26-17 edge on the offensive glass.
- Eight of Marisa's 15 points came from the free throw line as the rookie went a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe.
- Frazier and Marisa both dished a team-high three assists, while Marisa also led the team with four steals.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Carolyn Kieger
- "I'm so proud of our entire team's toughness and fighting through adversity tonight. We only had 18 points at halftime and scored 55 in the second half. I think we got the jitters out of the way and they showed me that they can learn, they can make adjustments, and they can be the team that we want them to be when play at that tempo.
- "Big credit to Siyeh Frazier and Makenna Marisa in that second half. Alisia Smith was an x-factor tonight and absolutely made some huge plays in the paint for us. I can't say enough about our toughness and our fight tonight."
- On 100th career win: "It means so much. We had 99 victories at Marquette and I can't say enough about every single one of those with those players and that staff. Ninety-nine victories in a Marquette uniform meant so much to me. I'm so happy to be here and start it off on the right foot at Penn State. This is one of many and I give a lot of credit to my staff and every single player that has played for me."
UP NEXT
- Penn State makes its home debut Sunday afternoon when the Lady Lions welcome Rider.
- Tipoff from the Bryce Jordan Center is set for 2 p.m.
- It will be Military Appreciation Day and special ticket rates are available for current and former military members, family and friends.