After a rough start to conference play — and by rough I mean 0-6 in the Big Ten — the Lady Lions looked to turn things around with an upset against No. 17 Nebraska in enemy confines. That proved to be a pipe dream, as Penn State was promptly run off the court, 73-45.

Thursday’s defeat was Penn State’s seventh consecutive loss, dropping the team to a woeful 3-14 on the year. After committing 24 turnovers — an improvement from last game’s 38 — and shooting 34 percent from the floor, the Lady Lions never really had a shot in this one. Center Candice Agee led the way with 13 points, while contributing eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks in the losing effort. Sierra Moore and Keke Sevillian finished with nine points apiece, while star freshman Lindsey Spann was held scoreless.

How It Happened

I hate to sound like a broken record, but this one was over early after the Cornhuskers burst out of the gate, jumping to a 19-6 lead at around the 13-minute mark. The team’s shooters just could not get their shots to fall, while Nebraska made the most of its opportunities early on.

Turnovers were the team’s Achilles’ Heel, and the Cornhuskers made Penn State pay dearly, converting a pair of turnovers into three-pointers at the four minute mark, making it a 32-16 ballgame. Penn State was ice cold from beyond the arc, shooting only 2-of-9 compared to Nebraska’s 11-of-29 performance.

At the half, the Cornhuskers led handily, taking a 38-22 lead into the locker room.

A miraculous comeback attempt from the Lady Lions was not in the cards, unfortunately, as Nebraska opened up the second half with a 7-0 run that was capped off by a Tear’a Laudermill three-pointer. Penn State continued to miss shot after shot, while the Cornhuskers simply continued to pile it on.

The Nebraska deep ball constantly plagued the Lady Lions in this one, sealing the deal and turning this game into a nightmare for the struggling Penn State squad.

Player of the Game 

This honor goes to Nebraska guard Natalie Romeo, who made it rain from beyond the arc, hitting 6-of-11 en route to 18 points. She had the hot hand, and put on a clinic for the Cornhusker fans. Hats off to her for a remarkable shooting night.

Tweet of the Game

Penn State women’s basketball team with a total 62 turnovers in the past two games.

— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) January 16, 2015

Again, turnovers have killed the Lady Lions over the last two games. Not much you can do when you continuously cough up the rock.

Game Notes 

As previously mentioned, Thursday’s loss drops Penn State to 3-14 on the season, and 0-6 in Big Ten play, while the Cornhuskers improve to 13-3, with a 3-2 record in conference play. No. 8 Maryland currently sits atop the Big Ten at 13-2 on the season, with a perfect 4-0 record in conference play.

What’s Next

Next up for the Lady Lions will be a trip to Columbus, where Penn State will attempt to pick up its first Big Ten win over an 11-7 Ohio State squad on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Photo: Mark Selders/GoPSUSports.com