The offense shines in the 84-45 season-opening victory

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State's women's basketball team used a balanced offensive attack to secure an 84-45 season-opening win over Coppin State on Wednesday night inside Bryce Jordan Center.

Seven Lady Lions finished with eight or more points while freshman Tova Sabel led the way with 14 points. Graduate Transfer Kelly Jekot made her first appearance in a Penn State uniform and scored her 1,000th career point while recording her second career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Anna Camden scored the first double-double of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Makenna Marisa added 12 points and seven assists, the best of the team.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Coppin State took a quick 7-2 lead three minutes into the game before Penn State I got it going when seven points from sophomore Shay Hagans fueled an 18-2 Lady Lion run to end the quarter. Six different Lady Lions scored during the stretch, while the PSU defense held Coppin State to a 2-for-12 clip from the field to take a 20-11 lead during the first quarter.
The Lady Lions scored the first five points of the second term to extend their lead to 26-11. The Eagles rallied to 10 at 28-18, but Penn State remained in control for the remainder of the first half. PSU held Coppin State to a 3-for-10 mark from the field in the final six minutes of the second quarter as the Lady Lions controlled a 42-26 lead at the half.
Camden came to life in the third quarter when the sophomore added seven points to lead a 16-9 PSU scoring advantage in the third period. Freshman Constance Thomas gave Jekot a dime when the third quarter clock expired as the graduation transfer hit the tray to score her 1,000 career point and Penn State took a lead 58 -35 in the final stanza.
The Lady Lions served him in the fourth quarter when PSU shot 10 of 18 from the field. Senior Transfer Johnasia Cash led the charge with eight points in the fourth quarter, while freshman Maddie Burke added five on the road to Penn State victory 84-45 .

KEYNOTES

Penn State recorded its largest margin of victory (39 points) in more than four years. It was Penn State's largest margin of victory since a 56-point victory over Saint Peter's on November 3, 2016.
Jekot scored her 1,000th career point and the 11th point in a Lady Lion uniform when the third quarter bell rang. Graduation transfer earned 990 of your points at Villanova from 2016 to 2019.
Jekot also tied his career record with 11 rebounds when he posted the second double-double of his career.
Camden's double-double was the first of his career with 13 points and 10 rebounds, the best mark of his career.
Sabel, a native of Sweden, made her unforgettable college and American debut with 14 points, the best of her team, thanks to a 6-of-10 effort from the field. She also added five rebounds.
Hagans (9), Cash (8) and Burke (8) completed the balanced offensive attack.
Penn State kept an opponent below 50 points for the first time since January 12, 2019 when PSU capped Illinois to 48.
The Lady Lions held a 59-38 rebounding advantage, a 35-20 bench point advantage and a 44-20 point advantage in the paint.

FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Carolyn Kieger

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