Lady Lions Return to Happy Valley to Host ProvidenceLady Lions Return to Happy Valley to Host Providence

Lady Lions Return to Happy Valley to Host Providence

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women's basketball returns home for a non-conference match up against Providence on Sunday, Nov. 26. The Lady Lions look to remain undefeated against the Friars as the teams tip off in the Bryce Jordan Center at 1 p.m. for the seventh time in the series history. 
 
Penn State looks to bounce back with a win after losing a heartbreaking 71-70 contest to no. 8/10 USC in the second game of the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship earlier this week.
 
GAME INFORMATION
vs Providence

  • Date: Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 | Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
  • Live Stats | Watch: B1G+ | Notes | Radio
  • Admission: Ticketed

LAST TIME OUT

  • The Lady Lions lost a close 71-70 heart breaker to no. 8/10 USC in the final game at the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship in Nassau, Bahamas on Nov. 22.
  • After 15 lead changes and nine tie scores, the Trojans went on a 7-0 run in the final minutes to secure the win. 
  • The Lady Lions owned a 21-17 at the end of quarter one but the Trojans had the final word of the half with Juju Watkins sinking a half court buzzer beater to give them a 35-34 edge at the break. USC maintained the lead after quarter three. Despite Penn State outscoring the Trojans 16-12 in the fourth quarter, USC came out on top.
  • Shay Ciezki led the Lady Lions in scoring for the second consecutive game, notching a team high 18 points. The sophomore guard also led the team in rebounds (7) and assists (3). 
  • Makenna Marisa scored in double figures for the sixth game this season, contributing 10 points and shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
  • Kylie Lavelle was red hot in the first quarter, scoring two major triples off the bat to total 10 points on the night for the sophomore. 
  • Ali Brigham got in on the scoring action later in the game but still contributed seven points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field.
  • Penn State outscored USC in the paint 30-22, despite one of the best guards in the country Juju Watkins playing a majority of the contest.
  • The Lady Lions turned defense into offense, causing 20 USC turnovers and converting 21 points off their defense. 
  • Penn State scored 22 points off the bench, marking the sixth game the subs have scored at least 20 points. 
  • The Lady Lions took care of the ball with their best turnover total of the season at 12. 

LADY LIONS IN THE RANKS 

  • Makenna Marisa sits 10th in the conference in scoring average (16.5) and fourth in total points scored (99) behind Caitlin Clark, Shyanne Sellers and Laila Phelia. 
  • Shay Ciezki ranks 13th in the Big Ten, averaging 15.3 points per game. Her total of 92 points through six games sits at a rank of nine. Ciezki sits second in the Big Ten behind Caitlin Clark in made three-pointers with 18 which sits her 22nd nationally.
  • The Lady Lions rank third in the conference in points scored with 520 through five games which sits them 12th nationally. 
  • Penn State's field goal percentage of 50.1% is fourth best in the conference and 13th best in the country along with its 43.9% from three-point range ranking them second in the Big Ten and at fourth in the nation. The team's 54 three pointers made is second in the league and eighth in the national rankings.
  • The Lady Lions also rank second in the league in steals (57) and blocks (30) and third in the league in assists (109). 

2023-24 ACCOLADES

  • Marisa earned a spot on the three-person Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll (11/20) after her to double digit scoring outings against Kansas (34 points) and St. John's (15 points).
  • Marisa was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List for the second consecutive season. She also earned a spot on the All-Big Ten preseason team.
  • Owusu repeats on the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award Watch List.

SCOUTING THE FRIARS

  • The Friars began their season with two wins over Hampton and Vermont but went down two straight to Brown and Boston College. They earned a 57-40 victory over Monmouth in their most recent game (11/22).
  • Providence finished the 2022-23 season 13-19, losing in the first round of the Big East tournament to DePaul.
  • Erin Batth was named the head coach of the Friars at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. She became the first Black female head coach in program history. Batth previously worked as an assistant at Michigan during the previous season, helping to lead the Wolverines to their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance.
  • Junior Marta Morales Romero had the chance to play for Spain, her home country in the FIBA U20 European Championship this past summer.
  • Junior forward Olivia Olsen leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.4 points per game with a 67.4 field goal percentage.

PENN STATE –PROVIDENCE SERIES

  • The Lady Lions look to continue an undefeated streak against the Friars, holding all six wins in a 6-0 series dating back to 1984. 
  • The most recent match up resulted in a tight 74-72 Penn State win on Nov. 8, 2018. 
  • Three of the six games in the series have been played in Happy Valley, making Sunday's contest the fourth. This will be only the second game played in the Bryce Jordan Center with the other two played in Rec Hall, the previous home of the Lady Lions.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • PARKING: Parking for all athletic events requires a valid university permit or payment of an applicable parking fee. Parking can be purchased in advance by 11:59 p.m. the day prior to each game using Prepaid ParkMobile for $5.50, or can be purchased on game day for $10. Parking for men's basketball can be found at Jordan East, Stadium West, or Porter North lots.
  • MOBILE TICKETING: All Penn State Athletics tickets are once again mobile tickets.  Fans can access Penn State Athletics mobile ticket guide at GoPSUsports.com/mobiletickets. Make sure to have the updated Penn State Athletics App downloaded on your phone to easily access and manage your mobile tickets. Download the app on the App Storeand Google Play.
  • CLEAR BAG POLICY: The Bryce Jordan Center has a clear bag policy. Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVB and are 12" x 6" x 12" or smaller are permitted. Small clutches or wristlets that are 4" x 6" x 1" are also permissible, as well as one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags. All clear bags and patrons are subject to metal detection and/or bag inspection upon entering the venue. Bag policy details can be found here.