Penn State women’s basketball (11-18, 5-14 Big Ten) was dominated by Rutgers (11-19, 4-14) in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, ending the game with a final score of 75-50.

Being out-rebounded plus a very poor shooting performance highlighted the Lady Lions downfall today. Leilani Kapinus recorded her third double-double of the season, with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Makenna Marisa also put up 15 points and five assists.

How It Happened

The Lady Lions won the tip, but after two minutes with no score, Makenna Marisa was finally able to sink a jump shot to get the scoring started. Niya Beverley followed suit, as she made a difficult fast break layup that got Penn State going early. Tiya Singleton sparked the scoring for Rutgers after a made free throw and some post-move scores.

Rutgers quickly scored ten unanswered points before Marisa ended that streak with a free throw. Tova Sabel sank one from deep to end eight misses from beyond the arc for Penn State. However, as the first buzzer sounded, the Scarlet Knights remained up by six.

Ali Brigham started things for Penn State in the second quarter with a fadeaway jumper. Sayawani Lassister answered quickly with a three-pointer. After shared blocks and missed shots from both squads, Marisa drove to a layup and completed a tough shot that brought the Lady Lions within five mid way through the second quarter.

Beverley and Leilani Kapinus sunk back-to-back three’s that gave the Lady Lions their first lead of the second quarter. However, that was short-lived, as Shug Dickson sank one of her own that reclaimed the lead. After some time with no buckets, Osh Brown and Victoria Morris each sank jumpers that brought back a two-possession lead for the Scarlet Knights.

The quarter ended with traded free throws and lay-ups from Kapinus and Dickson. The score remained in Rutgers favor, as it held a 31-25 lead at the end of the first half.

The Scarlet Knights started the third quarter on a 12-2 run led in large part by Brown and Dickson, who both put up five points each during that span. However, the tides started to shift in Penn State’s favor as it went on a run of its own, led by Marisa, that helped cut down the lead.

Rutgers ended the third on a 7-3 run, as it held Penn State to only eleven points and two field goals the whole quarter.

The Scarlet Knights started the final quarter scoring six unanswered points before Marisa was finally able to get a layup to fall after three minutes with no score. Chyna Cornwell and Victoria tallied on two more jumpers for Rutgers before Maddie Burke answered with a layup.

The Lady Lions sank some free throws but were quickly cancelled out from back-to-back jumpers from the Scarlet Knights. Kapinus and Lasha Petree traded buckets as the game entered the final two minutes. Free throws highlighted the end of the game, but the deficit was too much to come back from.

Lady Lions fall to Rutgers with a final score of 75-50.

Takeaways

• Well, that’ll do it for the Lady Lions. Rutgers easily won this one as it looks like this will be the last game of the season for Penn State women’s basketball.

• It was a brick house for Penn State. They shot 23.7% from the field, 17.4% from three, and 72% from the free throw line. They were also out-rebounded 54-32, not a recipe for success.

• I can’t believe I am saying this, but give it up for Rutgers. They were the better team throughout the whole duration of the game and deserved this win.

What’s Next

Unfortunately, the Lady Lions season came to an end after tonight’s result.