Game Grades: Penn State Women’s Basketball vs. Illinois
The Penn State Lady Lions lost their fourth straight game after falling to Illinois 85-62 on Sunday. Here is how the blue and white did on both sides of the ball.
Offense: C-
The offense came out looking loose and efficient, shooting 8-for-17 from the field and 2-for-3 from deep which piled up for 19 points in the opening quarter. After that, Penn State lost whatever rhythm and momentum it had going into the fourth quarter.
In the second and third quarters, the Lady Lions went 6-for-28 from the field and 1-for-7 from long range, with most of their points coming from the charity stripe. Leilani Kapinus was in her element during the team’s struggle against the Illini, scoring 13 of the blue and white's 21 points in the second and third quarters.
The Lady Lions ended on a high note by scoring 22 points in the final minutes of action. Makenna Marisa and Johnasia Cash found their grooves late in the game, putting up nine points apiece as time expired.
Defense: D
While the offensive collapse played a significant role in the loss, that side of the ball wasn’t the main problem for the Lady Lions. Opponents facing the blue and white average 71.8 points per game, and Sunday was a whole different story.
The Fighting Illini ended the day with 85 points after going 34-for-75 from the field and 10-for-22 from three. The Lady Lions gave up 23 second chance points and were unable to stop Illinois in the paint, giving up 42 points underneath the net.
The main reason for the Illini’s dominance underneath the net was Kendall Bostic, who ended the day with 22 points and 18 rebounds. Bostic wasn’t the only one that scored over 20 points on the day, however as Genesis Bryant also accounted for 21 points and 3 assists.
Penn State was only able to hold the Illini under 20 points in one of the four quarters of play. That lone quarter came at the end of the game where the Lady Lions held Illinois to 12 points.
Coaching: B-
Head coach Carolyn Kieger kept the minutes spread throughout the roster during the game, but didn’t give enough to Cash. Cash played just eight minutes in the game and accounted for nine of Penn State’s points.
Kieger’s play calling was efficient, just not effective on Sunday with players struggling to find their marks during the game.
Penn State falls to 13-14 on the season with a 4-12 conference record. The blue and white are now 0-9 on the road this season and haven’t won an away game since February 21, 2022 against Michigan State.
The Lady Lions will look for that first road win on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they take on Purdue in West Lafayette, Indianapolis.
Micheal Bolger is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mpb6233psu.edu.
