UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Penn State was defeated 107-79 by the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Iowa played better than Penn State early in the first quarter, as the Hawkeyes had a 5-2 lead roughly four minutes into the game.

Penn State took a timeout halfway through the opening quarter, which appeared to temporarily help the situation for the Lady Lions. The Lady Lions were barely trailing the Hawkeyes at the 3:49 mark in the first quarter, with the score being 14-10 during a timeout.

Despite Iowa finishing the quarter with a 25-17 lead, both teams played well. Iowa had a field goal percentage of 45.5 percent, while Penn State had a field goal percentage of 42. percent at the end of the first quarter.

Makenna Marisa led all players with nine points, while Iowa’s McKenna Warnock was right behind Marisa with eight points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Penn State continued to keep pace with Iowa. The Lady Lions were down 34-32 halfway through the quarter.

Penn State and Iowa played a very competitive first half. Makenna Marisa led all scorers with 18 points despite her team being down 52-47.

The field goal percentages in the first half were almost identical. Iowa had a field goal percentage of 48.7 percent, while Penn State made 48.6 percent of field goals.

It would be a long second half for the Lady Lions.

Iowa went on a scoring run to begin the third quarter, as the Hawkeyes extended the lead to as much as 18 points. The Hawkeyes seemed to be making all their shots and would continue playing well the rest of the game.

Penn State continued to be outplayed by Iowa. The Hawkeyes were in firm control at the end of the third quarter, leading 79-59. McKenna Warnock, Monika Czinano and Caitlin Clark led the way for Iowa and were practically unstoppable. Iowa outscored Penn State 27-12 in the third quarter, marking a big change in the momentum.

Penn State coach Carolyn Kieger had high praise for Clark. “A player like Caitlin Clark is a catalyst and one of the best guards in the country,” said Kieger.

In the fourth quarter, Iowa began to firmly run away with the game. Penn State simply did not have an answer, and Iowa had a 92-65 lead halfway through the final sequence.

For the second time this season, the Lady Lions conceded over 100 points in a poor defensive showing. Despite keeping it close in the first half, Penn State had no answer for Iowa in the second half, as the Hawkeyes were unstoppable, outscoring Penn State in both the third and fourth quarters.

Kieger spoke highly of Iowa’s program. “I want to give a lot of credit to Iowa…I’m very respectful of what they do as a program and how they’ve built it, and we’re going to work tirelessly to build a program like that,” said Kieger.

Perhaps the only positive outcome of the game was Makenna Marisa’s milestone. The junior from McMurray, Pennsylvania scored her 1,000th career point, becoming the 40th Lady Lion to do so.

Penn State lost by a final score of 107-79 against No. 23 Iowa. Penn State’s next matchup will be at home against Michigan State this Thursday.

Nolan Wick is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email nhw5046@psu.edu.