CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Penn State women's basketball team fell 86-69 against Boston College on Thursday at Conte Forum in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Lady Lions dropped to 4-4, while the Eagles improved to 6-1.
Massachusetts native Ali Brigham led Penn State with 18 points, on 9-of-15 shooting, and grabbed five rebounds. Makenna Marisa contributed 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals. Niya Beverley had 10 points, on three-of-six from the field. Leilani Kapinus and Kelly Jekot each had eight points. Penn State shot 44 percent from the field.
Boston College was paced by Cameron Swartz' 29 points. Jaelyn Batts recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Marnelle Garraud tallied 16 points, including four three-pointers. The Eagles made 45 percent of their field-goal attempts.
A tight first quarter was even at 12-12 with three minutes remaining in the period. However, Boston College finished the quarter on an 8-2 run, including six points by Batts, to hold a 20-14 lead going into the second quarter. Brigham scored four points, while Shay Hagans and Kelly Jekot each hit a three.
The Eagles stretched their lead to 30-21 with 7:21 left in the first half. Swartz and Ally Van Timmeren each had four points during that stretch. A 9-2 run by the Lady Lions helped to cut the deficit to 32-30 at the 1:52 mark. Marisa had four points during the run and Maddie Burke drained a three. A layup by Swartz and a three by Garraud sent BC into the break with a 37-32 lead.
After a three by Beverley and a three-point play by Marisa, the Eagles responded with a 12-3 run to hold a 56-41 lead at the 3:13 mark in the third quarter. Swartz contributed seven points during the run. Jekot scored five points at the end of the quarter on a layup and a three. The Lady Lions trailed 66-48 going into the fourth quarter.
Penn State outscored Boston College, 21-20, in the fourth quarter. Brigham and Kapinus each scored six points, while Beverley contributed five and Marisa tallied four.
The Lady Lions take on No. 6 Indiana on Monday, December 6 in Bloomington to open Big Ten play. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Ali Brigham