UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's basketball team got key contributions from multiple players in the fourth quarter to lead to an 83-76 win over Nebraska on Thursday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State ignited a 15-0 run to erase a 13-point deficit and take its first lead of the fourth quarter with six minutes left and closed out the victory. The Lady Lions improved to 10-15 overall and 4-11 in Big Ten play, while Nebraska, receiving votes in the AP poll, fell to 19-7 overall and 8-7 in conference.
Makenna Marisa paced Penn State with 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Kelly Jekot hit four three-pointers as part of a 13-point performance, while Niya Beverley contributed 12 points off the bench. Maddie Burke, nailing three three-pointers, and Anna Camden each had nine points. Penn State shot 45 percent for the game, including 60 percent (12-of-20) in the fourth quarter. The Lady Lions hit 12 three-pointers and four in the fourth quarter.
Penn State recorded 13 steals and seven blocks on the defensive end, with Beverley and Leilani Kapinus each collecting three steals. Ali Brigham and Camden each had two blocks.
Nebraska shot 44 percent from the field, but only 25 percent (5-of-20) from three. Alexis Markowski led the Huskers with 23 points and seven rebounds. Isabelle Bourne posted 15 points, while Sam Haiby had 11. Bella Cravens and Jaz Shelley each had 10 points.
Marisa opened the game by hitting a three from the wing. Nebraska answered with a quick 10-2 run, including three points by Markowski. A pair of free throws by Marisa cut the deficit to 10-7 at the 5:12 mark. The teams traded threes, including one by Burke and two by the Huskers' Shelley. Nebraska closed out the quarter with a 20-14 lead.
After a short 7-2 run by Nebraska to begin the second quarter, back-to-back threes by Burke and Jekot brough Penn State back within seven, 29-22, with 4:03 left in the half. Three layups by Nebraska were answered with layups by Camden, Marisa and Shay Hagans. The Huskers' Haiby beat the buzzer on a layup to send Nebraska to the break with a 37-28 advantage.
Niya Beverley scored seven of Penn State's 10 points in a 10-4 run early in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 48-40 with 5:28 to go. After a quick 7-3 run stretched the Huskers' lead to 57-45, five points by Marisa and a layup by Kapinus cut the deficit to 59-52. A layup by Markowski sent Nebraska into the fourth quarter with a 61-52 lead.
The Huskers started the final period on a 7-3 run, including five points by Markowski, to extend their lead to 68-55 with 7:37 remaining. A three by Camden sparked the Lady Lions' next run as they exploded for the game's next 15 points. A layup by Kapinus and a jumper by Camden were followed by a pair of and-one layups by Hagans and a layup by Marisa. Penn State took a 70-68 lead with 6:01 left in the contest.
A pair of free throws by Nebraska's Haiby tied the game back up at 70-70, but a three by Beverley broke the tie and Penn State never trailed after. A jumper by Camden and a free throw by Jekot stretched PSU's lead to 76-72 at the 3:29 mark. A bucket by Nebraska's Bourne made it a two-point game with 3:03 to go. A floater off the glass by Marisa was followed by a corner-three by Jekot and a layup by Marisa put the Lady Lions ahead, 83-74, with 11 seconds remaining.
Penn State begins a three-game week on Monday, February 21 at Michigan State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Kelly Jekot