Last week's schedule for the Penn State women's basketball team has been rough, and with the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on the slate tonight, it won't be getting easier any time soon.
After dropping games against No. 24 Pittsburgh and No. 5 Texas A&M last week, the Lady Lions (4-2) will play Florida State (5-2) at 7 tonight in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles began this season ranked in the top-25 and fell one point short of last year's Sweet 16.
Penn State coach Coquese Washington said the tough early schedule will help the team prepare for its Big Ten competition, which won 12 straight games against the Lions at the end of last year.
"Yes it's the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but for us it's going to be similar to going on the road in the Big Ten and playing against a team that's probably going to play better on their home court than they have when they're playing on the road," Washington said.
"We're going to be seeing these types of teams in the Big Ten. Maybe with a little more athleticism overall, but this is what we use this game for, to prepare us for Big Ten play."
Like most Big Ten teams, the Seminoles rely on post scoring. Junior center Jacinta Monroe leads the team with 15.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game to go along with 11 blocks this season.
Sophomore Julia Trogele said the Lions' previous games have prepared the post defense for players like Monroe and Florida State's second-leading scorer, freshman center Cierra Bravard. Trogele mentioned how following Friday's loss to Texas A&M, the Lions bunkered down on Coppin State's low-post threat Whitney Cunningham, holding the 6-foot-3 center to just two points and causing her to foul out.
"Our defense has definitely gotten a lot better in the post due to Janessa [Wolff], Evelyn [Lewis], Rashida [Mark] and Meredith [Monroe] really stepping in and doing a great job with finding the block ... and taking [opposing centers] out of their element and getting all the rebounds against them," Trogele said.
Washington said the team treats every game like a statement game, and since Florida State enters tonight's game off an upset loss Saturday to Valparaiso, she expects the Seminoles to come out firing.
"I know that [Florida State coach] Sue Semrau is going to have her team ready to get back on the winning side, and I'm sure they've had the worst practices of the season and they're ready to take their frustrations out on us," Washington said. "So I really anticipate this is going to be a tough game for us, and a game where we're gonna really have to fight and compete and battle."
Notes:
Guard Mashea Williams will return to the court after missing the last five games with an injured right ring finger.
Washington said Williams will see limited action tonight and will work the senior back into the lineup as she recovers.
