The Penn State Lady Lions (14-12, 5-8) took on Minnesota (19-6, 8-4) on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. The afternoon matchup was the “Pink Game” in Williams Arena, and the Golden Gophers did not hold back.

Destiny Pitts, Kenisha Bell, and Carlie Wagner all had outstanding offensive performances, and Teniya Page’s points couldn’t make the game close. Minnesota won with ease, running up the score against an underperforming Lady Lions team.

How It Happened

Gadiva Hubbard opened up the scoring, draining a corner three to give the Gophers an early 3-0 lead. After Minnesota extended the lead to 5-0, Teniya Page drained a pull-up jumper on the break to bring the Lady Lions into the game.

Before long, Penn State trailed 12-2 with 6:55 to play in the opening quarter before Page drained a three from the top of the arc to account for all five Lady Lions points. Amari Carter chipped in with a few baskets in the first quarter, too. Kenisha Bell looked strong early on for Minnesota, forcing a turnover with about 4:00 to play in the quarter before leaking out on the break and finishing an and-one opportunity.

Turnovers plagued the Lady Lions early on, as they trailed 33-18 at the end of the quarter with offensive production really only coming from Page and Carter.

The second quarter started off slowly for Coquese Washington and Co., as they scored just two points in the opening three minutes of play as Minnesota pulled out to a 42-20 lead. Alisia Smith scored her first bucket of the day with about 4:30 to play, bringing the score to 45-24 in a very low-scoring quarter for Penn State.

Kenisha Bell dished out 9 assists as Destiny Pitts totaled 15 points in the first half as Minnesota took a 55-26 lead into the half. Penn State’s Teniya Page led Lady Lions scorers with 13 points.

Minnesota jumped out to a 62-26 lead with 7:12 to play in the third quarter, continuing to pile it on. Teniya Page converted an and-one opportunity with 6:52 in the quarter. The Lady Lions ended the third quarter 2-14 from distance on the night, more than indicative of their struggles from beyond the arc. The only bright spot at the end of the quarter was Teniya Page, who had 21 points. Penn State trailed 78-42 heading into the final quarter of play.

This game was early over, and the fourth quarter didn’t bring upon much change. The Lady Lions did manage to put up 25 points in the final period of play, but Minnesota walked away with a 101-68 thumping.

Teniya Page and Siyeh Frazier finished the game in double figures in the scoring column.

Player of the Game

Kenisha Bell | Junior | Guard

Bell had a fantastic first half, dishing out nine assists on her way to a double-double. She was key to the offensive outpouring in Minneapolis.

What’s Next

The Lady Lions will return home for a matchup with Northwestern on Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch the game on BTN Plus.