The Penn State Lady Lions are now 2-0 at the Junkanoo Jam Basketball Tournament in the Grand Bahamas after disposing of Illinois State to win the Freeport Division championship game Saturday morning 72-60.
Penn State also won this event back in 2003, defeating George Washington and Kansas State to win the title then.
Assistant coach Fred Chmiel calls Saturday’s victory over the Red Birds a hard fought win that shows the team still has some work to do.
Chmiel complimented the Lady Lions bench for their solid play. The PSU subs outscored their counterparts 25-0.
Penn State was in control for almost the entire game and trailed only in the first few seconds. The Lady Lions were able to push their lead to 12 several times in both halves.
Penn State had a decided height advantage but could only manage one more rebound than Illinois State. Post play was key in the game with Talia East and freshman Alex Harris each pulling down 11 boards.
Maggie Lucas was the leading scorer with 25 points. She scored 17 points against Oregon State in Friday’s first round game. For her efforts, Lucas garnered tournament MVP honors.
The only other player in double figures for Penn State was Dara Taylor with 12. Taylor was named to the All-Tournament team. Penn State is now 5-1 on the season.
The Lady Lions will be back in action Wednesday night in a 7:30 tip off against perennial power Notre Dame at Bryce Jordan Center. Notre Dame of course is the alma mater of PSU head coach Coquese Washington. She was an associate head coach under ND coach Muffet McGraw.
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