UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women’s basketball is positioned to open its 61st season in program history against Bucknell on Monday, Nov. 4. Tip off in the Bryce Jordan Center is set for 5 p.m. and will act as the first game in a double header with the men’s basketball playing in the second contest of the evening. The sixth season under the direction of head coach Carolyn Kieger kicks off against Bucknell for the second consecutive year.
Four Lady Lions return from last season’s roster with the addition of four transfers in the offseason and five freshmen. Kieger picked up redshirt-sophomore center Gracie Merkle from Bellarmine, graduate guard Gabby Elliott from Michigan State, graduate forward from Louisiana Lafayette Tamera Johnson and junior guard from Eastern Arizona Vitoria Santana in the portal. The five true freshmen include Jill Jekot, a January enrollee, Cam Rust, Shaelyn Steele, Talayah Walker and Ari Williams.
GAME INFORMATION
vs Bucknell
- Date: Monday, Nov, 4, 2024 | Time: 5 p.m. ET
- Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
- Live Stats | Watch: B1G+ | Notes | Radio
- Admission: Ticketed
2023-24 SEASON IN REVIEW
- Penn State produced its best overall record in a decade with its 22-13 season.
- The Lady Lions advanced to the Final Four of the Inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament, marking their first postseason appearance since 2017-18.
- Penn State was one of four one-seeds in the tournament after just missing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
- The Lady Lions finished ranked sixth in the Big Ten.
- Penn State consistently ranked in the top-10 in three major statistical categories throughout the 2023-24 campaign. PSU produced one of the highest level offenses in the country with steady recognition in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and scoring offense.
- The Lady Lions had for 100-plus-point performances, 13 90-plus point games and 21 80-plus point performances.
- Penn State shattered its single game three-point record on two different occasions last season. Once against Central Connecticut on Dec. 20 with 15 three-pointers and then again when it hosted Maryland on Jan. 28 with 16.
2023-24 B1G ACCOLADES
- Ashley Owusu was named to All-Big Ten second team by coaches and honorable mention by media.
- Makenna Marisa was named second team All-Big Ten by media and honorable mention by coaches.
- Leilani Kapinus was named to the All-Big Ten defensive team by coaches and media and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the media.
- Tay Valladay is an honorable mention by the media and Penn State’s Sportsmanship Award recipient.
- Shay Ciezki was an honorable mention by media.
SCOUTING THE BISON
- The Bison finished the 2023-24 campaign with a 13-8 overall record, going 9-9 in Patriot League play.
- Villanova lost to Marquette in its first game in the Big East Tournament.
- Sophomore forward Ashley Sofilkanich was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
PENN STATE – BUCKNELL SERIES
- This is the 15 meeting between Penn State and Bucknell, with the Lady Lions winning all 14 games so far.
- Picking up after a 10-year hiatus last season, 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 10th to be held on the Penn State campus.
LAST TIME VS. BUCKNELL
- Penn State opens its 2024-25 campaign against Bucknell for the second year in a row.
- The Lady Lions came away with a 94-51 win in last year’s season opener on Nov. 7.
- Six Lady Lions scored in double figures in last year’s contest: Ciezki (18), Marisa (14), Lavelle (13), Valladay (12), Oden (10), Murray (10).
- The Lady Lions shot 59.3% from the field in that game and 48% from beyond the arc.
- Penn State forced 26 turnovers and produced 31 points from its defense.
- The Lady Lion’s bench made major contributions, scoring 39 points.