Thompson Leads Lady Lions Past Wisconsin, 74-69Thompson Leads Lady Lions Past Wisconsin, 74-69

Thompson Leads Lady Lions Past Wisconsin, 74-69

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Box Score

UNIVERSITY PARK — Taniyah Thompson led Penn State to victory with a season-high 27 points, as the Lady Lions (12-8, 3-6) defeated Wisconsin (6-14, 2-7) 74-69 Sunday evening in the Bryce Jordan Center.

The Lady Lions finished the game by making 10-of-11 of their last baskets in the victory. Penn State never trailed for the last six and a half minutes of regulation as they chained together eight points featuring back-to-back long balls by Thompson. She preceded to make the next four buckets for Penn State, fending off a lead change after a tie at 3:46.

Beginning the game, Penn State found themselves down early to the Badgers, who grabbed a nine-point lead. The Lady Lions whittled down the deficit using a pair of six-point runs including back-to-back three-pointers to end the period.
 
After making a three-pointer herself, Leilani Kapinus inbounded the ball from behind half court with 1.2 seconds left. Shay Ciezki fielded the rocket pass and drilled a three as the buzzer sounded, bringing Penn State within one, 22-21.

 
Following a period where Wisconsin shot 53%, they dropped to 25 from the field in the second. The Lady Lions used a 14-2 run, including eight points by Thompson, to take a 35-30 edge at the half. The Badgers made just one of their last eight heading into the break.
 
The third quarter saw four ties and three lead changes with both sides keeping within one possession of each other.
  
NOTES

  • Thompson's 27 points is the most this season since she notched 15 in the season opener versus Norfolk State on Nov. 9, 2022.
  • This marks her 69th double digit scoring game and her 21st career game with 20 or more points.
  • She drained a season-high five three-pointers and finished 10-13 from the field along with two steals.
  • Next in scoring was Makenna Marisa with 15 points, her 74th career double figure contest who also racked up eight assists and five steals.
  • Kapinus reached 500 career points with nine along with two blocks and five steals, her 12th game this season with three or more swipes.
  • Ciezki notched a career-high seven assists (six against West Virginia on Dec. 11, 2022).
  • The Lady Lions forced 25 turnovers, tied for a season-high (against Cornell Dec. 21) for their ninth game forcing 20+ and fourth in Big Ten play.
  • Penn State finished with 16-3 steals advantage, their fifth straight game with 10+ steals, for a decisive edge in points off turnovers (31-12) and on the fast break (23-15).
  • The Lady Lions also had 31 bench points to just two from the Badgers.

UP NEXT
Penn State goes on the road to face Rutgers next Thursday at 7 p.m. in a rematch, with the Lady Lions winning 90-72 at home on Dec. 30.