ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a highly contested battle with No. 14/19 Michigan (13-2, 3-1), Penn State (10-5, 1-3) was unable to close in the last period as the Lady Lions fell 82-72 Tuesday in the Crisler Center.
The Lady Lions and Wolverines put on a show in the first half with six ties and seven lead changes. Penn State started off making three straight from the field while Michigan missed their first three.
U-M found its rhythm, going on runs of eight and six, respectively, but the Lady Lions ended the first period on a 10-0 run with Shay Ciezki accounting for eight of those points in 90 seconds.
Corner three from @shay_ciezki to finish the first period on a 10-0 run!#UnleashThePRIDE pic.twitter.com/iHypYbQ42S
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) January 3, 2023
Midway through the second, Penn State made four-straight field goals with Ciezki adding a second chance jumper for the Lady Lions' largest lead of five. Penn State was soon plagued by turnovers, allowing U-M to score nine unanswered for the 38-34 lead at halftime.
While Penn State shot 52 percent to Michigan's 41 percent, the Wolverines made the difference at the stripe, going 11-for-13 at the line to the Lady Lions' 2-of-3.
The game continued back-and-forth action with four ties and four lead changes in the third. Twice the Wolverines edged ahead by two possessions, but Penn State answered each time shooting 57 percent from the field and 60 percent from the arc.
Makenna Marisa scored five points to open the final period and tie the game for what would be the last time. Michigan would spur ahead with ten unanswered points for their largest lead of the game and continued to roll extending that lead to as much as 13. Running out of time, Ciezki netted the final trey of the game, setting new career highs in points (21), field goals (eight) and three-pointers (five).
NOTES
- Ciezki led the Lady Lions in points for the second game this season after she scored a team-best 16 vs Toledo on Nov. 25.
- It also marked her ninth double-digit scoring game this season.
- Marisa passed Vicki Link (1984-87, 1,514 points) for 14th in career-scoring (1,519). She netted 14 for her 70th career double figure game.
- Taniyah Thompson scored ten points, her fourth 10+ point game this season and 66th all-time.
- Penn State edged Michigan 17-6 in bench points and 30-26 in points in the paint.
- The Lady Lions were whisteld for 21 fouls to just 10 on the Wolverines, leading to a 24-5 advantage in free throws attempted.
UP NEXT
Penn State returns home to face Purdue Saturday at 2 p.m. for its PRIDE Game.