DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Leilani Kapinus made two free throws with 0.9 seconds left in the game as Penn State women's basketball pulled off a last second 60-59 victory over Toledo (3-2) to preserve its perfect 6-0 season on Friday afternoon at the Ocean Center in the Daytona Beach Invitational. The Lady Lions extended their longest winning streak since the 2016-17 team achieved the feat during the nonconference season and are off to the best start since the 1996-97 season (7-0).
Toledo led for just 30 seconds in the game but were able to erase a five-point deficit with under a minute and half left in the fourth quarter to gain a 59-58 lead with seven seconds after a pair of free throws. After Penn State advanced the ball on a timeout, Kapinus caught the inbounds pass, backed down to the right block and drew the shooting foul.
After the Rockets made it a one-possession lead on a jumper in the first possession of the second half, Penn State went on an 11-0 run for a 40-27 lead that carried into the fourth quarter. Makenna Marisa hit a jumper to start it, Shay Ciezki followed with seven points (three-pointer, jumper and layup) and Chanaya Pinto had a layup.
Penn State grabbed the lead early in the first half, jumping out to an 11-3 lead after an 8-0 run. Marisa produced two-straight layups and a jumper, and Johnasia Cash got a basket in the paint.
NOTES
- Penn State defeated a reigning conference champion for the fourth time this season: Toledo (MAC), Youngstown State (Horizon League), Fairfield (MAAC) and Norfolk State (MEAC).
- Ciezki led the Lady Lions with 16 points, her second double digit game in a row and third of the season.
- Chanaya Pinto netted a career-high 13 points, six rebounds and three steals in her first start as a Lady Lion.
- Marisa finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.
- She recorded her 63rd double-digit scoring game, including 35-straight dating back to the start of last season.
- Cash had a game-high 10 boards.
- The Lady Lions limited the Rockets to 18 for 62 shooting from the field and 3 for 22 shooting behind the arc and 12 turnovers, tied for the most Toledo has committed this season.
- This was the first matchup between the two programs.
UP NEXT
Penn State finishes out the Daytona Beach Invitational with Fresno State Saturday at 11 a.m.