WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Penn State women's basketball team wasn't able to cool off a hot-shooting Purdue team Sunday afternoon as the Lady Lions fell 81-68 at Mackey Arena.
Junior Kamaria McDaniel shined once again, finishing with a game-high 35 points. It marked the third 30-plus point effort of her stellar junior campaign.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Purdue got out to an early 9-4 lead five minutes into the game before a corner three-pointer from freshman Anna Camden sparked a 7-2 Penn State stretch that evened the score at 13-13 with 1:34 left on the first-quarter clock. The Boilermakers scored the final four points of the term, however, to take a 17-13 lead into the second stanza.
- The Boilermakers stretched their advantage to 24-17 three minutes into the second quarter, but Penn State responded with a three-pointer from freshman Shay Hagans and five points from McDaniel as the Lady Lions trimmed the deficit to one at 26-25 with 3:26 left on the first-half clock. Purdue answered right back with six of the final eight points of the half to take a 34-29 edge into the locker room.
- A layup from senior Siyeh Frazier opened the second half, but Purdue rattled off the next 15 points to take a 49-31 lead with 6:38 to play in the third quarter. Penn State's offense picked up for the remainder of the third term as the Lady Lions scored 16 of the final 30 points, but Purdue carried a 61-47 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.
- Penn State scored the first four points of the final quarter by way of the charity stripe as the Lady Lions found themselves back within 10 at 61-51 with 8:21 to play. Purdue's Dominique Oden went on a personal 8-1 run over the next three minutes and Penn State was never able to get within single digits as the Boilermakers claimed the 81-68 victory.
KEY NOTES
- McDaniel's 35 points marked her third 30-plus point effort of the season and a new Big Ten career high. She finished 11-for-17 from the field, 4-for-6 from three-point range and 9-for-11 from the free throw line.
- McDaniel also scored 30-plus against Minnesota on Dec. 28 when she dropped 31 points in the Big Ten opener. She went off for 40 points against Pittsburgh on Dec. 5.
- McDaniel notched her ninth 20-plus point performance of the season and sixth of conference play. She has now scored in double figures in 19 of Penn State's 20 games.
- Purdue finished the game shooting 55.6 percent (35-for-63) from the field compared to Penn State's clip of 44.4 percent (24-for-54).
- The Boilermakers controlled a 37-21 advantage in rebounds.
- Penn State held an 18-15 edge in fast-break points.
UP NEXT
- Penn State returns home for a two-game homestand that begins with a Thursday night contest against Iowa. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. from the Bryce Jordan Center.