UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women's basketball returns to Rec Hall for the first time in nearly 30 years to host no. 2 Ohio State on Thursday, Feb. 22. The Lady Lions make their return to the historic building that was once their home, for the first time since 1996 before making the switch to their permanent home in the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State and Ohio State will square off in a nationally televised contest on the Big Ten Network with tip time slated for 6 p.m.
The Lady Lions welcome the no. 2 Buckeyes in the second match up of the season between the two teams as Penn State looks to snap a five-game skid and Ohio State aims to continue a 12-game hot streak.
GAME INFORMATION
vs no. 2 Ohio State
- Date: Thursday, Feb.22, 2024 | Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Rec Hall
- Live Stats | Watch: Big Ten Network | Notes | Radio
- Admission: Ticketed
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 options for women's basketball at Rec Hall include Nittany Parking Deck andWest Parking Deck. Shuttles from West Deck will begin 90 minutes prior to the game.
- 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 Store and Google Play.
- CLEAR BAG POLICY: Rec Hall 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.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Lady Lions dropped their most recent game at Maryland, 77-62.
- The back-and-forth start to the game with 11 lead changed and nine tie scores, was snapped when the Terrapins pulled ahead in the third quarter and maintained the advantage through the remainder of the game.
- Ali Brigham and Makenna Marisa scored in double figures with Brigham scoring 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and Marisa scoring 13 for her 101st game in the double digit scoring column.
- With her start against Maryland, Marisa has started in the most games in Lady Lions history, surpassing Nikki Greene at 132. She also played in her 136th game, which passed the previous record set by Tanisha Wright at 134 games.
LADY LIONS IN THE RANKS
- Makenna Marisa ranks 15th in the B1G in points per game and 13th in field goal percentage (46.6).
- Shay Ciezki ranks third in the B1G and 27th nationally in made three-pointers with 65. Her 39.6 clip beyond the arc sits her fifth in the conference and 49th nationally and her 2.50 per game sits at fourth in the B1G and 36th in the country.
- Leilani Kapinus is first in the B1G in steals with 57 and steals per game, grabbing 2.19 per game. She is also fifth in the conference in blocks per game with a 1.15 mark.
- The Lady Lions are sixth in the country in three-point percentage and second in the B1G, shooting 38.7%. They also rank 14th nationally and third in the conference in three-pointers per game with 9.0. The team also has the sixth highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 84.5 points per game.
- Penn State ranks eight in the nation and third in the conference in field goal percentage (48.9).
- The Lady Lions also rank second in the league in steals per game (10.0), third in blocked shots per game (4.0) and second in bench points per game (26.0).
- Penn State's defense forces 19.54 turnovers per game which is second in the B1G and 37th in the nation.
2023-24 ACCOLADES
- Ashley Owusu was named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll (1/22) after averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in two of Penn State's B1G wins.
- Shay Ciezki collected her first conference accolade of the season after totaling 62 points through three games including a personal best 27-point performance against Oklahoma State in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship. The Buffalo native made the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll on Nov. 27.
- 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 BUCKEYES
- Ohio State has embarked on a 12-game win streak, dating back to Jan. 5. Its 22-3 overall record has come at the expense of a losses to Michigan, UCLA and USC.
- The Buckeyes sit at the top of the conference with only one loss in B1G play. They recently surpassed Iowa after defeating the Hawkeyes and having them drop a game to Nebraska.
- Ohio State has clinched a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament resulting from its most recent win against Nebraska.
- Ohio State ranks first in the B1G in turnovers forced per game, turnover margin, steals per game and scoring defense.
- Jacy Sheldon leads the team in scoring averaging 17.8 points per game followed by Cotie McMahon with 14.0 per game.
PENN STATE –OHIO STATE SERIES
- Despite winning the most recent three meetings including the one earlier this season, Penn State still leads the all-time series 37-35.
- Ohio State won the most recent game in both team's Big Ten opener on Dec. 10 with a 94-84 OT final score.
- The Lady Lions have a 20-11 record in games played in Happy Valley. They are undefeated in games played in Rec Hall (10-0).