Penn State women’s basketball (10-17, 1-15 Big Ten) lost to Michigan (19-8, 10-6 Big Ten) 78-68 at the Crisler Center on Saturday afternoon.

Despite going down by as much as 15 midway through the third quarter, the Lady Lions found momentum going into the final frame. However, Michigan’s defensive domination down the stretch broke another late comeback attempt from Penn State as the Lady Lions dropped their 15th Big Ten contest of the season.

How It Happened

Michigan drew first blood with an opening triple from Jordan Hobbs. Gracie Merkle scored Penn State’s first points of the day in the paint.

Hobbs hit another three as the Wolverines jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead. Alli Campbell checked into the lineup as Moriah Murray cashed in from beyond the arc for her 68th triple of the season.

.@CameronRust6 @murray_moriah

5:23 Q1 | 8-7 Michigan#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/TnYSyXZjbe

— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) February 22, 2025

Michigan’s Syla Swords responded with a three of her own to restore the Wolverines’ four-point lead going into the first media timeout.

Swords knocked down another three from the top of the key before Merkle scored in the paint once again. Murray missed a wide-open look from deep, but Penn State won back possession after a Swords foul on Merkle.

Jayla Oden picked out Grace Hall near the baseline for a routine jumper. Campbell then combined with Merkle for another score as the Lady Lions pulled within two.

Michigan added two free throws to double the lead to top off the opening 10 minutes.

Michigan took a 10-point lead following a two and a half minute scoreless drought for the Lady Lions to open the second quarter. Shaelyn Steele scored two foul shots bring the deficit back to single digits.

Despite scoring from the line, the Lady Lions snapped their field goal drought with a Merkle layup in transition after six minutes. However, Michigan’s lead reached a dozen.

Murray hit a deep step-back three to cut the deficit to nine, but Michigan responded with a quick layup. Murray cashed in again from downtown on Penn State’s subsequent possession, good for her third triple of the game.

Murray tried her hand once more but caught nothing but air going into the media timeout down 32-24 with 2:51 left in the half.

Michigan’s lead reached double digits once more behind Mila Holloway’s jumper coming out of the media timeout. Gabby Elliott rattled in a three on a contested look from the top of the key to slash the deficit to seven.

Special Agent 0 doing her thing

1:55 Q2 | 34-27 Michigan#LionMentality x @gabbyy5_ pic.twitter.com/e4wij6Ik1l

— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) February 22, 2025

Penn State failed to get its shot off at the end of the half. Michigan led 36-27 at the intermission.

Murray knocked down her fourth three of the day to open the second half and pull within six.

.@murray_moriah starting the third quarter off with a BANG

9:12 Q3 | 36-30 Michigan#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/UE0ImHU3qr

— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) February 22, 2025

Elliott sunk a mid-ranger before Hobbs cashed in once more from downtown. Michigan’s lead ballooned back to 11, highlighted by two more turnovers for Penn State. Olivia Olsen added two more points with a step-back jumper, forcing head coach Carolyn Kieger to call a timeout down 13 with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Elliott bounced in a shot off the rim coming out of the timeout. Michigan forced another turnover as it cleared a 15-point lead midway through the third frame.

Campbell secured back-to-back mid-rangers to bring the deficit to 10. Michigan responded with a layup, but Merkle secured an and-one to pull within single digits.

Penn State forced a stop on defense and Tamera Johnson drained a wide-open three as the momentum clearly swung the Lady Lions’ way. Swords put a stop to the bleeding with a triple of her own for Michigan.

Elliott missed a high-arcing three and Hobbs missed from beyond the arc at the buzzer as Penn State worked Michigan’s lead down to nine at 57-48 going into the fourth quarter.

Elliott sunk a mid-ranger and won a trip to the charity stripe in the process. She drained the extra point as the Lady Lions pulled within six.

Swords power her way through the paint for her own and-one as Michigan continued to stifle the comeback attempt.

Hobbs nailed a corner three to push Michigan’s lead back to a dozen. Michigan’s lead ballooned back to 15 with 3:40 remaining in the game as Penn State checked in freshmen Jill Jekot and Steele back into the game. The Wolverines ran away with the game in the final minutes to secure the win.

Takeaways

• Turnovers plagued the Lady Lions once again. Penn State’s turnover total on the day came out to 17, and Michigan scored 18 points off those turnovers.
• Campbell returned to the hardwood after missing a run of games with an undisclosed injury. She was serviceable on the floor, totaling eight points and dishing out seven assists in 24 minutes.
• Penn State once again had a comeback attempt stifled late in the fourth quarter. The Lady Lions went down by as much as 15 midway through the third quarter and pulled within six early in the fourth quarter. However, Michigan made more plays down the stretch as another close game slipped through Penn State’s hands.

What’s Next?

Penn State will celebrate Senior Day in its final regular season game at home at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, at the Bryce Jordan Center. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.