Rapid Recap: No. 8 Penn State 81, Iowa 69
Overview: The Penn State women’s basketball team went on the road and picked up a very big win, defeating Iowa, 81-69. Iowa jumped out to an early lead after the Lady Lions came out cold at the beginning, but Penn State’s athleticism and tough defense was the difference as Penn State ran and ran and wore down the Hawkeyes late in the first half and throughout the second.
Mia Nickson scored her 800th career point in the first half while her teammate Nikki Greene played only six minutes in the first stanza with foul trouble. The win gave Penn State its best start to the Big Ten season since 2002-03 season.
Turning Point: Penn State turned up the pressure and the tempo as well late in the first half and wore down Iowa with fast breaks and a stingy man-to-man defense that limited the Hawkeyes to what they could do on offense. Penn State forced Iowa into 20 turnovers, resulting in 18 points.
Player of the Game: Ariel Edwards scored 15 points off the bench and more importantly allowed coach Coquese Washington to substitute freely at the guard position, keeping the guards’ legs fresh and the running game in high gear.
Stat of the Game: Penn State was 19-for-25 at the free throw line while the Hawkeyes were only 11-for-19 and were one of the best free throw shooting teams in the Big Ten.
What it Means: A win on Wednesday at home against Illinois and a win in its final home game of the season Feb. 24 against Michigan in the Pink Zone game, and Penn State can clinch at least a tie for the regular season Big Ten title. Penn State will finish up their regular season with road games at Minnesota and Nebraska.
