2025-26 in the Numbers
Merkle has reached double figure scoring in 17-of-18 games this season.
Merkle is shooting at a 75.5% clip from the field.
Merkle has six double-doubles this season.
Merkle ranks 1st in the country in field goal percentage.
Merkle's 154 made field goals ranks ninth in the nation and third in the Big Ten.
2024-25 in the Numbers
Merkle ranked 3rd in the nation in field goal percentage and first in the Big Ten in 2024-25. She also set a new Lady Lion program record for single-season field goal percentage.
Merkle posted 23 double figure scoring outings in 2024-25.
Merkle notched 13 double-doubles throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
Merkle is 19th in point this season (346).
2025-26 Rankings Among Power 4 Women's Basketball Players
Merkle had been the nation's leader in field goal percentage for seven-straight weeks.
Merkle has the seventh most double-doubles (six) among power 4 women's basketball athletes.
Merkle sits 11th in points per game (19.2) among power 4 basketball players.
Merkle ranks 13th among power 4 players in points (346).
Merkle is 25th among power 4 players in rebounds (140).
Career Stats
Merkle surpassed 1,000 career points with her 39-point outing against Princeton on Nov. 22.
Merkle holds the highest career field goal percentage in program history and highest career FG% among active women's college basketball players.
Merkle owns 720 career rebounds.
Merkle nearly averages a double-double in her career with scoring (16.2) and rebounding (9.4).
What They're Saying
BIG TIME PERFORMANCE for @GracieMerkle
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 23, 2025
Gracie Merkle scored 39 PTS in Penn State’s game against Princeton.#NCAAWBB x @PennStateWBB pic.twitter.com/KWVvdLo82s
#HoopHeroines Players to Watch in 2025-26:
— HoopHeroines (@hoopheroines) October 22, 2025
Gracie Merkle | @GracieMerkle | @PennStateWBB
15.5 points
8.6 rebounds
1.2 assists
1.5 blocks
33.3 Player Efficiency Rating
109.8 Player Offensive Rating
93.6 Player Defensive Rating
+16.2 Net Rating pic.twitter.com/PlPDrH5Cub
Gracie Merkle returning to @PennStateWBB could be one of the biggest moves of the offseason in the Big Ten.
— The Dribble Drive (@DribbleDriveWBB) July 31, 2025
Carolyn Kieger talked about her development on our latest episode of the Dribble Drive. Full episode: https://t.co/tLTLZnw0pO pic.twitter.com/FnD3gTvVcG
#HoopHeroines Top Performers:
— HoopHeroines (@hoopheroines) November 16, 2025
Gracie Merkle | @GracieMerkle | @PennStateWBB
25 points
11-of-18 fg's
3-of-7 ft's
11 rebounds
7 offensive rebounds
3 assists
2 blocks
1.09 PPP
...in 89-77 win over Saint Joseph's. pic.twitter.com/b5TOwpZZ89
Highlights
AND ONE 😤@GracieMerkle
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) November 3, 2025
7:42 Q3 | 46-39 Penn State pic.twitter.com/Wl8S53rti1
Ball movement on point 🤌
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) November 8, 2025
05:25 Q3 | 50-49 Penn State#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/kpE7HofsWq
Too easy for @GracieMerkle 😮💨
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) November 12, 2025
8:56 Q3 | 42-30 Penn State#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/VpADbvlNxo
There’s no stopping @GracieMerkle 🔥
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) November 18, 2025
Gracie has reached double figure scoring in all four games of the season! #LionMentality pic.twitter.com/CCXzvZE7Kb
The 1,000th Point ↓#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/gYZz3VNFos
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) November 22, 2025
Merk getting us on the board first! 💪
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) December 10, 2025
9:13 Q1 | 2-0 Penn State#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/6RNfgmziav
AND ONE ‼️#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/koNMmp4F6B
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) January 11, 2026