MINNEAPOLIS – No. 13 seed Penn State women's basketball (14-17) came up just short of an upset bid in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, falling 63-61 to No. 5 Michigan (22-8) Thursday afternoon at Target Center.
The Lady Lions ended the game on a 7-0 run, and a contested jumper by Makenna Marisa at the buzzer did not fall to extend the game to overtime.
After Marisa opened the fourth quarter with a jumper for the ninth tie of the game, Michigan went on a 9-0 run that lasted over six minutes. Alexa Williamson converted a layup to end it, but the Wolverines followed with a three-pointer for their biggest lead (nine). Marisa converted a three-point play off an out of bounds play with 1:50 remaining, Williamson made a layup just outside the right block, and Leilani Kapinus weaved through several defenders in the paint to make it a one-possession game (63-61) with 13.9 seconds left. Penn State got a steal off a jump ball off the inbounding pass that followed to set up the last shot of the game.
The two teams each produced 14 points in the opening quarter. Marisa opened the game with a three-pointer, and Chanaya Pinto followed with a three of her own. After turning the ball over with 13 seconds, the Lady Lions were able to tie it up after Kapinus got a steal off a trap and got it to Marisa for a layup right before the buzzer went off.
Penn State was able to grab a four-point lead (25-21) with three minutes left in the second quarter after two layups from Kapinus and one by Pinto. Michigan outscored Penn State 9-4 to end the first half, including a buzzer beating jumper for a one-point lead (30-29).
Michigan and Penn State traded baskets throughout the third quarter with eight lead changes. Kapinus led the Lady Lions in the quarter with eight points and three boards. Anna Camden knocked down a three-pointer that pushed the advantage to Penn State. Michigan was once again able to hit a midrange jumper right before the buzzer to carry a 52-50 lead into the final 10 minutes.
NOTES
- Shay Ciezki and Taniyah Thompson didn't play due to injuries suffered in the 72-67 win over No. 13 Minnesota Wednesday.
- Marisa and Kapinus both finished with a game-high 16 points.
- Marisa scored in double-figures for the 83rd time in her career along with seven assists.
- Kapinus recorded her 10th game with 5+ steals and snagged a team-high seven rebounds with five assists as well.
- She has gotten 10+ points in eight of the last nine games.
- Williamson was the third other Lady Lion in double-figures with a dozen points as well as four rebounds and two steals.
- Camden provided eight points and four rebounds in the start.
- Chanaya Pinto had nine points, five boards, three steals and two assists.
- Penn State forced an opponent to 20+ turnovers for the 16th time this season.
- The game had 17 lead changes.