Penn State 72, Howard 61: Things to Take Away
Slow Start
Howard kept the Lady Lions within reach throughout the game, including having a six-point lead with a little less than five minutes remaining in the first half. The Lions also had a slow start on this day last year against Washington State when they were down 38-35 at half, but managed to come back.
What Coach Said: head coach Coquese Washington credited the rust out the opening gates to just the start of the season and the Lions still finding their rhythm. While the team is returning most of its players, adding redshirt junior guard Dara Taylor and freshman center Candice Agee to the mix still needs time to be fine-tuned.
Turning Point
The turning point of the game came at the end of the first half when senior guard Maggie Lucas drained a three to close Howard’s lead to one. After five straight turnovers, the Lions went on a 14-0 run to end the first half and take a 39-31 lead.
“We want to provide that spark throughout the entire game,” senior guard Alex Bentley said.
In the Paint
The Lions came away with 26 points inside the paint; however, Nikki Greene did not attempt one shot from the field, scoring only three points from the free throw line.
What Coach Said: Washington alluded to Howard’s great defensive play of sandwiching Howard's post and forcing outside shots, but that won’t be a common occurrence reassured Washington,
“ Our post play will definitely improve as the season goes on.”
Did they win?
You would not know that the Lady Lions won from their post game body language. The Lions showed they were disappointed in their efforts, allowing Howard to score 61 points.
Food for Thought
With their leading scorer Tamoria Holmes, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, the Bison's Saadia Doyle scored 36 to pace Howard.
Odd Site
Howard often did not try to rebound their missed free throw opportunities as they sent all four of the players not on the line in the backcourt to prevent a fast break happening, Howard head coach Nikki Reid Geckeler said after the game. They were 19-29 from the line.
Ahead of the Curve
The Lions will take on No. 15 Texas A&M at 8 p.m. on Wednesday in College Station, Texas. The Lady Aggies are coming off a season opening defeat to No. 9 Louisville, 47-45.
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“Thanks for all the support today! Big game coming up this week”
-@MaggieLucas33