Penn State Lady Lions
Big Ten (25-5, 14-2)
With a solid backcourt, a deep frontcourt and a superstar in Maggie Lucas, Penn State has dominated the Big Ten. The Lady Lions finished the regular season with a 14-2 record and a Big Ten title. When it comes to competing with the elite in the women’s college basketball world, this may be a team on the outside looking in, but Coach Coquese Washington has a squad loaded with experienced juniors and seniors who will not be intimidated by the bright lights of March.
Big Wins: 1/6 at Michigan State (76-55), 2/4 Purdue (69-61), 3/3 at Nebraska (82-67)
Bad Losses: 11/29 at Miami (65-69), 1/31 at Wisconsin (61-63), 2/28 at Minnesota (81-89)
Coach: Coquese Washington
Why They Can Surprise:
Lucas, once again, has been the leader for Penn State. During her junior campaign she averaged 20.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 steals and knocked down 47.5 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc. When Lucas is hitting her shots, which is most of the time, the Lady Lions are a very dangerous team. The frontcourt may lack a superstar, but Nikki Greene is pretty close. The 6-4 senior averaged 8.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest. She, along with junior Talia East, can block some shots too. Mia Nickson will start up front beside Greene. Nickson, a 6-2 senior, is not quite as efficient as Greene in the scoring or rebounding department, but together they form a formidable duo. With the experienced Ariel Edwards joining East and emerging 6-6 freshman Candice Agee on the bench, Penn State has a lot of quality size available.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Dara Taylor and Alex Bentley often get open looks on the perimeter, but neither has shot particularly well this season. That leaves a lot of pressure on Lucas to knock down a vast majority of the perimeter shots. If Lucas is having an off day, this is a Penn State team that will struggle offensively. However, the Lady Lions can win low scoring games as well. Taylor and Bentley are great passers and even better defenders. Between the frontcourt’s ability to hit the glass and the backcourt’s ability to win the turnover battle, Penn State will be a tough out. However, Lucas will have to be the player to lead the Lady Lions if they want to surpass their regional semifinal appearance of a year ago.
Probable Starters:
Dara Taylor, Junior, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.5 spg
Alex Bentley, Senior, Guard, 14.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.5 spg
Maggie Lucas, Junior, Guard, 20.5 ppg, 2.1 apg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 spg
Mia Nickson, Senior, Forward, 8.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Nikki Greene, Senior, Center, 8.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Talia East, Junior, Forward, 2.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Ariel Edwards, Junior, Forward, 7.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Gizelle Studevent, Senior, Guard, 1.8 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.4 (13th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.7 (106, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.0 (38, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.4 (61, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.7 (187, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.1 (2, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.6 (48, 6)
Rebound Margin: 5.7 (40, 2)
Assists Per Game: 12.0 (219, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.7 (88, 7)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over UTEP
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over LSU
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Dayton
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to DePaul
2010 NIT Round of 64 loss to Hofstra
2005 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Liberty
2004 NCAA Round of 64 win over Hampton
2004 NCAA Round of 32 win over Virginia Tech
2004 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Notre Dame
2004 NCAA Regional Final loss to Connecticut
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
