Lady Lions Fail to Pull Off Upset, Lose Big to No. 17 Maryland
The Lady Lions dropped their fourth game in a row by double digits Sunday afternoon, losing 82-71 to the Maryland Terrapins. It was Penn State’s third game in six days.
The Lady Lions had a small pregame celebration as Makkena Marisa was gifted with a special basketball for scoring her 1000th collegiate point in her last game.
Penn State got off to a solid start, keeping up with the Terrapins for most of the first quarter. After Marisa drained back-to-back threes to tie the game at 14, Maryland responded by ending the quarter on a 13-0 run.
Chloe Bibby notched 11 first quarter points to lead Maryland.
The Terrapins continued to build their lead in the second quarter, starting on the defensive end. Maryland had 11 steals by the end of the first half and led 48-29.
Turnovers plagued the Lady Lions all afternoon, committing 24 overall and eight unforced. The Terrapins were able to score 23 points off Penn State turnovers in their 11 point victory.
Lady Lion’s head coach Carolyn Kieger was unhappy with her team’s ball security saying, “it was huge, it was the number one thing I think.”
Penn State gave up 20 second chance points in addition to the 23 points off turnovers, which Kieger attributed as massive reasons for the loss.
Penn State had a solid third quarter cutting the deficit to single digits at one point. Kelly Jekot hit a new season-high with a three pointer, but the Lady Lions still trailed by 12, 64-52, going into the fourth quarter. Jekot.
The Lady Lions continued battling back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits numerous times before the Terrapins would regain their large lead.
The Terrapins continued to hold Penn State at arms length and ultimately defeated the Lady Lions 82-71.
Penn State was playing in its third game in six days, but Kieger refused to claim that was the reason her team lost.
“We never make excuses,” Kieger said. “We get to play the game we love and we get to do it a lot.”
Penn State’s tough schedule continues when they head to Nebraska for a matchup against the 14-4 Cornhuskers.
Jekot, who finished with 16 points, put it simply for the Lady Lions saying that if the team makes things easier on themselves and focuses on their gameplan, they will find success.
Maclain Young is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email macyoung21@gmail.com.
