Penn State women’s basketball (11-8, 2-4 Big Ten) won a much needed conference game against Wisconsin (7-12, 0-6 Big Ten) on Sunday. Though the Badgers would often go on spurts to make the game close, the Lady Lions were able to keep control and win a close one.

How It Happened

Though it started with a Teniya Page turnover, Amari Carter responded with back to back threes to open up the scoring. A jumper by Siyeh Frazier and a three from Jaida Travasico-Green gave the Lady Lions an early 11-2 lead. The lead was run up to 20-9, but some Badger buckets near the end of the quarter put it at 20-14 at the end of the first. Kamaria McDaniel got some playing time in the first, but the freshmen would end up 0-3 on her shots for the night and committed two turnovers.

Travascio-Green and Page each got a jumper to start the second quarter off right for the Lady Lions, but the Badgers started to come out of hibernation. Led by guards Suzanne Gilreath and Cayla McMorris, Wisconsin was able to take advantage of a Penn State shooting drought to bring the game to within five midway through the second quarter. But back to back threes from Page and Travascio-Green erased that mark. Wisonsin kept biting through, coming to within 6 before a Frazier jumper would make it a 38-30 Lady Lions lead at the half.

Wisconsin would end up brining it to within five once again, this time in the third quarter. A three would bring it to within two with a Teniya Page jumper to try and keep the Badgers at bay. Another three would bring it to one, giving the Badgers a real shot at coming back. Some baskets from De’Janae Boykin, Page, and Carter would give the Lady Lions a five point lead going into the fourth, but things were getting close.

In the fourth, Wisconsin would tie things up after a big three from Gilreath. That was the closest the game would get though, as Penn State started to pull away. There skill on the inside was key. Boykin and Jaylen Williams dominated the boards the whole night, helping Penn State keep a 37-29 lead in that category for the night. Riding them and some key points from Travascio-Green and Carter, the Lady Lions were able to hold onto a 69-62 win.

Player of the Game

Amari Carter | Guard | Sophomore

The D.C product put up 21 points 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block and a steal. While Travascio-Green put up 20 with a similar stat line, Carter also helped control the offense, dishing out the ball and being the catalyst for much of the offense.

What’s Next

The Lady Lions have a huge match up coming up against No. 21 Rutgers, and Penn State will be looking to upset the No. 2 team in the Big Ten after dropping its first game against the Scarlet Knights. The matchup will be in University Park on January 18 at 7 p.m.