COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Penn State women's basketball team trimmed a 21-point deficit down to single digits, but #16/15 Ohio State was able to hold on for an 82-69 win Monday night in Big Ten action at Value City Arena.
Sophomore Makenna Marisa led Penn State with 21 points and nine rebounds. Graduate student Kelly Jekot followed with 19 points and six rebounds, while senior Niya Beverley added 14 points and five boards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Ohio State got out to a quick 10-4 lead before sophomore Anna Camden drilled a three-pointer that put the score at 10-7 midway through the first quarter. An and-one from Beverley had the Lady Lions within 16-12 with 2:09 left on the clock, but the Buckeyes closed the term on a 6-0 run to take a 22-12 lead through one.
- OSU carried its momentum into the second term as the Buckeyes stretched their lead to as much as 21 at 43-22 with 3:04 left on the first-half clock. A layup from Beverley was then followed by seven points from Jekot as Penn State closed the half on a 9-4 run to pull within 47-31 heading into the break.
- The Buckeyes scored the first basket of the third quarter, but 10 points from Marisa helped Penn State respond with a 20-9 run over the next five minutes as the Lady Lions trimmed the deficit down to seven at 58-51 with 3:12 left on the third-quarter clock. OSU answered with eight of the quarter's final 10 points, however, as the Buckeyes took a 66-53 advantage into the fourth term.
- Baskets from Beverley and freshman Tova Sabel kick-started the fourth quarter as Penn State pulled back within single digits at 66-57 to force an OSU timeout less than two minutes into the final stanza.
- OSU had an answer once again though, as the Buckeyes rattled off the next eight points to give them the separation they would need to continue on to the 82-69 win.
KEY NOTES
- Penn State's defense held an Ohio State offense that was averaging 96.2 points per game, a mark that ranks third-best in the nation, to a season low-tying 82 points.
- Marisa notched her second 20-plus point performance of the year. She added a team-best nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.
- Beverley put together the best of her three games in a Penn State uniform with her 14 points. She finished 6-for-8 from the field and added five rebounds and a team-best three assists.
- Jekot has now scored in double figures in every game this season.
- Penn State was held under 70 points for the first time this season.
UP NEXT
- Penn State returns home for its third-straight game against a nationally-ranked opponent when the Lady Lions host #19 Indiana Thursday night at 6 p.m. inside the Bryce Jordan Center.