Game Grades: Penn State Women’s Basketball vs. Michigan State
Penn State women’s basketball kept things close against the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday but fell 81-75 in overtime.
That dropped the Lady Lions’ record to 13-12 on the season which includes an 0-8 record away from home.
Here’s how each position group performed in the loss.
Offense: B-
The Lady Lions actually had a balanced offensive attack in the loss.
Four Penn State players scored in double-figures, including senior guard Makenna Marisa who led the team with 22 points, her first 20-point outing in three games.
Along with Marisa, the Lady Lions shot well from the field in the loss making just over half of their shot attempts.
That percentage was over 10-percent higher than the Spartans.
What hurts the grade for the blue and white is their performance in the clutch and a lack of taking care of the ball.
Penn State had a huge chance to win with redshirt-sophomore guard Leilani Kapinus heading to the line with the Lady Lions down two and a chance to take a late lead with just eight seconds left.
Kapinus only made one free throw, however which forced overtime and outside of an early 3-pointer from freshman guard Shay Ciezki, the Lady Lions went cold only making three of a possible seven shots. While the Spartans weren’t perfect, they made all 10 of their free throws in that period to clinch the win.
Michigan State also forced 23 turnovers from the Lady Lions.
Defense: D+
This is now back-to-back games where the Lady Lions have allowed 80 points or more.
Arguably the biggest surprise in the loss is the lack of turnovers forced by the blue and white.
Normally one of the best at forcing steals, the Lady Lions only came away with three which ties the total of two Spartans who picked up nine as a team.
The Lady Lions didn’t have an answer for Matilda Ekh who finished with 21 points while making five 3-pointers with good efficiency.
Earlier, Michigan State’s hefty free throw numbers were brought up and that was due to the 23 personal fouls on the Lady Lions which were distributed well across the team with five players accounting three or more fouls.
Coaching: D
When you combine the foul trouble with turnover issues, the fact that this was actually a close game makes it a little more disappointing if you’re a Penn State fan.
Instead, it’s another tough loss to take for Carolyn Kieger’s squad who continues to struggle on the road this season.
This game was also the fourth time Penn State has found itself in overtime, falling in each contest.
At some point, it just isn’t a coincidence.
There isn’t much time for Kieger and the Lady Lions to turn things around with only four games left on the season and another big test at home against No. 13 Ohio State.
Logan Bourandas is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
