EVANSTON, Ill. – The Penn State women's basketball team wasn't able to overcome a slow start in an 85-59 road loss at Big Ten-leading Northwestern Sunday afternoon.
Junior Kamaria McDaniel led Penn State with 18 points, while freshman Makenna Marisa scored a career-best 17 points. Both McDaniel and Marisa dished a team-best five assists as well.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Eleven points and a 4-for-4 effort from the field from Abi Scheid helped the Wildcats shoot 52.9 percent (9-for-17) from the field in the first quarter. Penn State struggled to find an offensive rhythm as Northwestern jumped out to a 24-7 lead through the first 10 minutes of play.
- Northwestern scored the first five points of the second quarter, but Penn State made three of its next four shots to string together a 9-4 streak and put the score at 33-16 with 5:19 left on the first-half clock. The Wildcats scored 12 of the final 15 points of the term, however, to control a 45-19 lead at the half.
- Northwestern worked its advantage to 56-29 midway through the third quarter before five points from Marisa highlighted an 11-5 PSU stretch over the next 2:18 that narrowed the gap to 61-38. Penn State finished the third quarter shooting 62.5 percent (10-for-16) from the field, but Northwestern's offense stayed hot as the Wildcats were ahead 69-42 through three terms.
- McDaniel scored seven points in the fourth quarter as Penn State outscored Northwestern 17-16 in the final term, but it wasn't enough as Northwestern claimed the 85-59 win.
KEY NOTES
- Marisa's 17 points bested her previous career high of 16 that was set against Long Beach State on Nov. 29, 2019 at the Cal Classic.
- Freshman Mya Bembry also recorded a new career high with eight points, besting her previous mark of six.
- Sophomore Lauren Ebo tied her career high with 12 rebounds. She added eight points. It marked the third time this season she has pulled down 10 or more boards.
- McDaniel has now scored in double figures in 17 of Penn State's 18 games this season.
- Marisa notched her ninth double-digit performance.
UP NEXT
- Penn State returns home to face #15/16 Indiana Thursday night at the Bryce Jordan Center.
- Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.