UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women’s basketball is set for its fourth contest of the campaign on Thursday, Nov. 14 when it takes on the Niagara Purple Eagles. The two teams are set to tip off at 11:30 a.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center as the Lady Lions welcome kids in attendance for their ‘Field Trip Day’.
GAME INFORMATION
vs Niagara
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
- Live Stats | Watch: B1G+ | Notes | Radio
- Admission: Ticketed
LAST TIME OUT
- Penn State rallied back from an 18-point deficit early in the first half to comeback and defeat Duquesne 92-83. This is one of the largest come-from-behind wins in program history.
- A 12-0 run using offense and defense sparked Penn State’s rally from being down. Gabby Elliott kicked off the stretch with back-to-back points and Alli Campbell scored four fast break points to speed the game up and pull within one of the Dukes.
- Elliott hit the game-tying three in the second quarter. Duquesne managed to tack on points to keep itself in the lead until Gracie Merkle notched the tip-in layup to take the lead for the first time. The teams traded leads once more before the Lady Lions managed to extend their advantage by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter.
- Five Penn State players scored in double figures to achieve the comeback: Murray (26), Tamera Johnson (17), Merkle (13), Elliot (12) and Jayla Oden (12).
- Murray’s 26-point night was her second 25-plus-point outing of the week. She used six three pointers and six perfect free throw attempts in crucial moments to aid the high scoring numbers.
- Johnson had her best night as a Lady Lions thus far, putting up 17 points including a perfect three-of-three percentage from long range. She also recorded seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.
- Alli Campbell was instrumental in the win, posting a career high eight assists, two steals and two blocks.
- Penn State produced its third consecutive game with 20 or more assists with 21 against the Dukes.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
- The Purple Eagles have struggled to start to the 2024-24 campaign, dropping their first two games to Syracuse and West Virginia, two strong power-five opponents. Despite the loss to the Orange, the team managed to put up 84 points.
- Niagara produced a 21-14 overall and 15-5 MAAC record in 2023-24. The Purple Eagles made a run to the championship of the MAAC Tournament, losing in close fashion to eventual champions and NCAA Tournament team Fairfield. Niagara played in the WNIT Tournament and advanced to the second round with a win over Le Moyne before falling in the second round to Vermont.
- Three Purple Eagles average double figuring scoring after the first two games of the season: Amelia Strong (13.5), Safiatu Kolliegbo (11.5) and Marlie Dickerson (10.0).
- Senior Aaliyah Parker was named to the All-MAAC first team in the preseason. She is a three-time All-MAAC selection.
PENN STATE – NIAGARA SERIES
- Penn State and Niagara have only faced twice in the history of both programs with the Lady Lions owning both wins.
- The two teams have not met in over three decades with the last meeting taking place in 1993.
- In the first contest between the teams in 1992, Penn State put up 116 points against the Purple Eagles, the program’s eighth highest single-game point total.
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.