EVANSTON, Ill. — The Penn State women’s basketball team traveled to Evanston on Sunday. Feb. 9, with thoughts of breaking out of its five-game Big Ten losing streak.
But a red-hot, 28-point fourth quarter by the Lady Wildcats spoiled the plans as Northwestern took over late in a 69-63 victory over the Lions.
The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 41-41, but the Wildcats jumped out immediately on 3-pointers by Caileigh Walsh and Casey Harter.
Foul tries by Gracie Merkle and Jayla Oden brought the Lions back, but then three consecutive scores suddenly put Northwestern in control at 54-43.
Scores by Merkle and Talayah Walker kept Penn State in it, and the Lions kept plugging until a layup by Walker made the score 59-55 with 1:43 left to play.
One minute later, after scores by both teams, Gabby Elliott’s jumper got Penn State to within 63-59 with 41 seconds on the clock.
Northwestern went to the line for 2 points, but then Oden scored again, this time with 31 ticks left.
Penn State needed to foul and put Harter on the line and she made one.
Oden was there again, however, and she pulled the Lions to within a basket with a layup that made it 66-63 with 20 seconds left.
Another point from the line by the Wildcats, a missed shot by PSU and another two free throws by NU put the game out of reach for Penn State.
Walker led Penn State with 14 points, and she was followed by Elliott with 13 and Merkle also with 13.
The Lions, although they shot just under 50% for the game, were just 2-for-13 from beyond the arc and committed 24 turnovers.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State again battled for four quarters but came up short again, this time to Washington.
The Lady Huskies took an early 11-point lead on PSU and carried that to a hard-fought, 82-71 Big Ten victory.
Penn State came into the fourth quarter of the game trailing by 7 points, 59-52, but two early threes and a put-back gave Washington a 12-point advantage, 67-55, with six minutes to play.
Washington kept on the gas, and despite a late Lion rally, was able to fend off PSU for its 14th win in 23 games.
Elliott led PSU with 17 points while Odan scored 14 and Merkle had 11.
For Penn State, the two losses left the team with a 10-14 record overall and 1-11 in the Big Ten.
Next for Penn State will be a trip to Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 13, before coming home to face Wisconsin on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
