Lady Lions Look to Double Up against Rutgers
The Lady Lions are coming off a big win over Wisconsin to end a three game losing streak against Big Ten opponents. The win marks the 12th win of the season for Penn State which is the most under Coach Carolyn Kieger four year tenure.
The Blue and White will now go on a two game road trip starting on Thursday against Rutgers, who they defeated earlier in the year 90-72 in the Bryce Jordan Center. In that game the Lady Lions bullied Rutgers in the paint with 40 points and forced 31 turnovers which they turned into 38 points.
Both the Lady Lions and the Scarlet Knights have won only two out of their past six games since their last meeting.
This will be the 17th time that Penn State and Rutgers have met since 2015 with the Scarlet Knights leading the series 13-3.
Keys of the Game:
The Lady Lions have won nine of their 12 games when they score 70 points or more and will need to do so again against the 13th ranked defense in the Big Ten. Penn State has an opportunity to rain from three with the 6th best shooting percentage from three.
Rutgers will need to protect the ball and lower the turnover margin to keep it close against the Blue and White. The Scarlet Knights have the worst turnover margin in the Big Ten, while the Lady Lions have the fourth best.
Penn State will need to control the tempo of this game, something that they haven’t done well this season in enemy territory, going 0-5 on the road. The Lady Lions haven’t won a game in Jersey Mike’s Arena in their past seven road games against the Scarlet and White.
The Scarlet and White will need to control the paint throughout the game with the 4.7 blocks a game which is the best in the Big Ten.
Makenna Marisa bounced back against Wisconsin after struggling throughout Penn State’s three game losing streak and will look to keep that momentum going against Rutgers. Marisa is sixth in scoring in the Big Ten and one of the key pieces that Penn State needs to win.
Chyna Cornwell will need to step up for Rutgers down in the paint. Cornwell is third in rebounds in the Big Ten and will need to grab a ton of boards for the Scarlet Knights to keep Penn State at bay.
After Rutgers, the Lady Lions will end their road trip on Monday against No. 11 Maryland which won’t be an easy one for Penn State. The Blue and White have not only struggled against ranked teams but haven’t beaten a ranked team yet, going 0-3 so far this season.
Micheal Bolger is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mpb6233@psu.edu.
