Rapid Recap: No. 8 Penn State 76, Indiana 54
How it Happened: The Penn State women’s basketball team used a strong final 10 minutes of the game to outrun the Indiana Hoosiers and win by a final count of 76-54. Penn State’s all-conference player Alex Bentley, who played in front of about 40 family and friends at Assembly Hall, scored 20 points, had four rebounds and three steals in the game while turning the ball over just one time.
Maggie Lucas was off the mark in shooting just 8-for-18 from the field and just 1-for-8 from 3-point land but still was able to score 20 as well. Mia Nickson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Dara Taylor was the fourth Lady Lion in double figures with 10.
Turning Point: With about 10 minutes to play, Penn State picked up the pace on defense and the Lady Lions got run out after run out and scored easy buckets. Penn State also became the first team this season to score more than 70 points in a game against the Hoosiers.
Player of the Game: Bentley was a demon on defense and was able to score almost at will against a team that did not have the athletes to stay with her and her teammates. Bentley has had the ability to play very well in games in the state of Indiana, her hometown being Indianapolis.
Stat of the Game: Nickson led the Lady Lions in rebounding as Penn State held a 54-32 edge in that department. Penn State also held Indiana to just 36 percent from the field in the game.
What it Means: Penn State maintains its lead in the conference with the win and now stands at 9-1 in Big Ten play and 19-3 overall.
On Deck: The Lady Lions are back in action Sunday afternoon in an important matchup with Michigan State, a team the Lady Lions defeated back on Jan. 6 in East Lansing by a final score of 76-55.
