UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's basketball team used a balanced offensive attack to secure an 84-45 season-opening victory over Coppin State Wednesday night inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
Seven Lady Lions finished with eight or more points as freshman Tova Sabel led the way with 14 points. Graduate transfer Kelly Jekot made her first appearance in a Penn State uniform and scored her 1,000th career point while recording her second career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Anna Camden tallied her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Makenna Marisa added 12 points and a team-best seven assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Coppin State got out to a quick 7-2 lead three minutes into the game before Penn State kicked it into gear as seven points from sophomore Shay Hagans fueled an 18-2 Lady Lion run to end the quarter. Six different Lady Lions scored during the stretch, while the PSU defense held Coppin State to a 2-for-12 clip from the field to take a 20-11 lead through the first quarter.
- The Lady Lions scored the first five points of the second term to stretch their lead to 26-11. The Eagles got back within 10 at 28-18, but Penn State remained in control for the rest of the first half. PSU held Coppin State to a 3-for-10 mark from the field in the final six minutes of the second quarter as the Lady Lions controlled a 42-26 lead at the half.
- Camden came alive in the third quarter as the sophomore poured in seven points to lead a 16-9 PSU scoring edge in the third term. Freshman Constance Thomas dished a dime to Jekot as the third-quarter clock expired as the grad transfer tossed in the layup to score her 1,000th career point and Penn State took a 58-35 lead into the final stanza.
- The Lady Lions poured it in the fourth quarter as PSU shot 10-for-18 from the field. Senior transfer Johnasia Cash led the charge with eight points in the final term, while freshman Maddie Burke added five en route to Penn State's 84-45 victory.
KEY NOTES
- Penn State recorded its largest margin of victory (39 points) in over four years. It was Penn State largest margin of victory since a 56-point win over Saint Peter's on Nov. 3, 2016.
- Jekot scored her 1,000th career point, and 11th point in a Lady Lion uniform, at the third-quarter buzzer rang. The grad transfer scored 990 of her points at Villanova from 2016-2019.
- Jekot also tied her career high with 11 rebounds as she recorded her second career double-double.
- Camden's double-double was the first of her career with 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds.
- Sabel, a native of Sweden, made her collegiate and American debut one to remember with her team-best 14 points thanks to a 6-for-10 effort from the field. She also added five rebounds.
- Hagans (9), Cash (8) and Burke (8) rounded out the well-balanced offensive onslaught.
- Penn State held an opponent under 50 points for the first time since Jan. 12, 2019 when PSU limited Illinois to 48.
- The Lady Lions held a 59-38 rebound advantage, 35-20 edge in bench points, and 44-20 advantage in points in the paint.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Carolyn Kieger
UP NEXT
- Penn State remains home to host St. Francis (Pa.) Monday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. Tipoff is set for 6 PM.