Two weeks ago, the much-improved Penn State women’s basketball program from a year ago suffered a major, season-altering setback to an already strenuous campaign.

Following the team’s seventh losing effort in its last eight games against Northwestern, Carolyn Kieger announced that senior guard Kelly Jekot would miss the remainder of the season with an undisclosed injury suffered in practice. 

Normally, the gut-wrenching news would further deteriorate any young squad built on youth and inexperience. But instead of throwing in the towel, Kieger called for unity within her grieving locker room.

Without the leadership-presence provided by Jekot in the backcourt, Kieger’s talented roster has found success across the board.

On Thursday, the Lady Lions notched their first win in 17 days against Illinois behind three double-digit scoring outputs from sophomores Makenna Marisa, Anna Camden, and Shay Hagans. Of Penn State’s 80 total points scored on the Illini, 52 were accounted for by the trio.

“I thought the sophomores all played phenomenally,” Kieger said. “Anna Camden’s toughness is something she’s been working on with our strength coach and our post coach, and it definitely showed tonight. Shay Hagans with five steals and phenomenal free throws down the stretch. And then Makenna (Marisa) — once she figures out that no one can guard her, she’s going to be very scary going downhill and hitting her pull-up.”

Riding a two-game conference road-game winning streak following Thursday night’s victory in the State Farm Center, Penn State entered Sunday’s matchup against Purdue in West Lafayette attempting to extend the newfound success away from home.

Despite the recent showing from her underclassmen, the trio struggled in the early going against the Boilermakers. In the first half, the three sophomores combined for just nine points.

Just as any good team does, other members of the squad stepped up to offset the sluggish start. This time, it was the senior duo of Johnasia Cash and Niya Beverley, who led the Lady Lions to a come-from-behind victory behind an impressive combined 42 points.

“I’m extremely proud of everyone and this is a total team win from top to bottom,” Kieger said. “Everybody contributed, everyone was focused, and everyone was ‘we above me’.”

In her second game starting as a Lady Lion, Beverley matched her career-high in a Penn State uniform with 14 points on 50% shooting from beyond the arc. Additionally, Beverly’s seven assists served as a key factor in opening the offense for other key contributors.

“Niya’s presence has been huge,” Kieger said. “We’ve been working with her on directing and commanding the offense as she continues to learn what we want and push the pace. She had some sweet assists in transition tonight for shooters and had her head up and she’s been a huge difference-maker for us.”

Beverley’s offensive success opened the paint inside for Johnasia Cash, who finished the contest with a dominant 28-points and 12 rebounds. The SMU transfer, and cousin of WNBA legend Swin Cash, continued her season-long tear with her sixth double-double performance Sunday afternoon.

“Cash has been a woman on a mission lately,” Kieger said. “Our team has done a great job finding her and her second jump has been phenomenal on rebounds. She’s just playing within herself and letting the game come to her and being very successful with that.”

Despite boasting an unflattering 3-6 conference record, the Lady Lions’ cohesiveness makes the squad a tough matchup for any team in the Big Ten. In its next two games, Penn State plays two unranked teams at the Bryce Jordan Center. With two wins, Kieger could bring a formerly deteriorated squad without Jekot’s presence to one riding a four-game conference winning streak.

As unimaginable as the turnaround sounds, the success truly highlights the importance of playing as a team. In a season with obstacles thrown at the Lady Lions in nearly every direction, the team deserves credit for sticking together and fighting as one.