In a season that’s been marred by poor shooting and failure to score in critical moments, the Lady Lions (6-21, 3-13) put forth their worst offensive performance of the season on Monday night, losing to No. 5 Maryland 65-34 in College Park.

The 34 points are a season-low for Penn State, five points fewer than the 39 they put up against then-No. 21 Syracuse during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge back in December. The Lady Lions connected on 30 percent of their shots, and made just 4-of-12 free throws.

How It Happened

The contest began with an inauspicious start for the Lady Lions, as Maryland raced out to a 10-0 lead, shooting 4-for-5 to start the game. The deficit remained around 10 points for the next seven minutes until a 12-4 run by the Terrapins ballooned the lead to 30-10 with 2:56 remaining in the first half. Lindsey Spann, the Lady Lions’ leading scorer, helped add some semblance of life at the end of the half, scoring four of the last nine points to cut a small chunk into Maryland’s lead, 35-14.

Spann continued her assault on the Terrapins’ hoop to begin the second half, scoring the first four points to bring the Lady Lions within 17 points, 35-18. But even Spann’s heroics couldn’t save Penn State, as the Terps began a back-breaking 7-2 run over the next two minutes to take a 22-point lead. Tori Waldner chipped in four straight points of her own with just over 13 minutes to play, but Maryland once again responded by scoring the game’s next 11 points to build the lead, 57-26. Penn State scored the next four points, but that was the closest the Lady Lions would get for the rest of the night.

Player of the Game

Candice Agee. The junior center was the only Lady Lion to reach double digits (10 points), and was by far the team’s most efficient shooter, making a cool 5-of-9 from the field. Agee nearly posted a double-double with nine rebounds, and also added four blocks and three steals.

Game Notes

• Waldner eclipsed the career 400-point mark with her first basket of the second half. She ended the night with four points to give her 403 career tallies.
• Candice Agee reached double figures for the 11th straight game, and 15th time this season.
• Penn State made a season-low 15 field goals and had a season-low 27 rebounds.
• The Lady Lions have now dropped both games this season to Big Ten newcomer Maryland. Penn State is 14-10 all-time against the Terrapins.

What’s Next?

The Lady Lions return home for their final two games of the regular season, beginning with a matchup against Ohio State on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Penn State will close out the season in thrilling fashion with the annual Pink Zone game versus Wisconsin on Sunday at 2 p.m.