The Lady Lions 2014-15 season came to a merciful end last night with a 68-63 loss at Indiana in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State finishes 6-24 on the year, and closes out Big Ten play with an abysmal 3-15 record.

How It Happened

The Lady Lions found themselves behind early as the Hoosiers stormed out to a 12-4 lead just five minutes into the game. Indiana would extend its lead to 23-12 before the Lady Lions cut the score to 30-23 with three minutes left in half. The play would go back and forth for the remainder of the half, with the Hoosiers taking a 38-30 lead into the break. Sierra Moore lead the way for the Lady Lions in the first half with eight points, while Candice Agee contributed six.

Neither team could gain an advantage for the first part of the second half, as the Hoosiers held on to a 47-41 lead with 10 minutes left in the game. Indiana would eventually push the lead to 53-44, but the Lady Lions fired back with an 8-2 run of their own to cut the deficit to 55-52 with four minutes left to play. Soon after, Indiana found itself up 65-60 with under a minute to play. A Lindsey Spann three-point play with 15 seconds left put Penn State within two, but it was too little, too late as three free throws from the Hoosiers sealed the 68-63 victory for Indiana.

Player of the Game

Player of the Game honors go to Sierra Moore, who had an absolutely incredible day from the field. Moore scored 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting, dishing out six assists along the way. Kaliyah Mitchell also had a great game, notching 13 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double on the year. Both players are only sophomores, so the future is bright for Penn State.

Game Notes

• In addition to a career-high nine field goals, Sierra Moore started her 30th game of the season to become the only Lady Lion to start every game in 2014-15.
• Senior Tori Waldner secured her 500th rebound vs. Indiana with her second board of the second half, ending her career with 503.
• Penn State did not block a shot for the first time this season and the first time since Jan. 9, 2014 vs. Illinois.
• The Lady Lions out-rebounded Indiana, 39-29, to mark the 18th time this season it outrebounded the opponent.

What’s Next

Unless the Lady Lions get a miracle bid to the NCAA Tournament or WNIT, the next time we’ll see Penn State is next season. Hopefully happier times await this young Lady Lions squad.