UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women's basketball kicks off its 2023-24 campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 7 when they host in-state rival Bucknell. Tip off in the Bryce Jordan Center is set for 6 p.m. The Lady Lions are in search of their seventh consecutive season opening win and 51st home opener victory.
GAME INFORMATION
vs Bucknell
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2023 | Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
- Live Stats | Watch: B1G+ | Notes | Radio
- Admission: Ticketed
THE TEAM
- The Lady Lions return Makenna Marisa for her fifth season of eligibility as well as Leilani Kapinus, Shay Ciezki, Alli Campbell, Ali Brigham and Chanaya Pinto.
- The team welcomes six transfers. Ashley Owusu comes after three seasons at Maryland and one at Virginia Tech, Tay Valladay spent two seasons at Marquette and two at Virginia, Kylie Lavelle played as a freshman at Drexel along with Moriah Murray who transferred mid-season last year, Jayla Oden joins from Illinois and Grace Hall spent one year at LSU and one at Wabash.
LADY LIONS IN THE RANKS AHEAD OF GAME ONE
- Marisa ranks 58th nationally in points per game (17.5) and 59th in minutes per game (35.4). In the conference, she ranks third in minutes per game, seventh in points per game, ninth in total points, 11th in assists per game and total assists.
- Kapinus finished eighth in the country in steals (97) and ninth in steals per game (3.1) and first in the Big Ten in the category. She also ranked seventh in the conference in blocks per game (1.0) and total blocks (31).
- Ciezki finished 22nd in the nation in three-point percentage (.416) and second in the Big Ten.
2023-24 ACCOLADES
- 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 after earning the honor in 2021.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Lady Lions concluded the 2022-23 campaign with an early run in the Big Ten Tournament. They earned a 72-67 win over Minnesota in the first round and lost a tight battle to the no. 5 seeded Michigan, 63-61.
SCOUTING THE BISON
- Bucknell finished the 2022-23 campaign with a record of 13-17, 9-9 Patriot League.
- The Bison finished sixth in the Patriot League standings.
- Sophomore Cecelia Collins ranked sixth in the league last year in scoring average with 14.1 points per game and scored a total of 311 points.
- Senior Emma Shaffer ranked fifth in the Patriot League at the conclusion of last season in rebounds per game with 6.1 per game to total 279. With Shaffer's graduation, Emma Theodorsson ranked behind her in rebounds with 103.
PENN STATE –BUCKNELL SERIES
- This is the 14th meeting between Penn State and Bucknell, with the Lady Lions winning all 13 games so far.
- Picking up after a 10-year hiatus, the programs were regular opponents during the first 15 years of the 21st Century.
- Being local foes, the series dates back to the early days of each program, with the first game taking place at the White Building on February 21, 1967 - a 38-26 Lady Lions victory.
- The contest is the ninth to be held on the Penn State campus.
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.