The Ohio State women's basketball team saw a completely different Penn State ballclub yesterday afternoon when the Lions came to the Schottenstein Center seeking revenge after the Buckeyes defeated them by five points at State College on Dec. 30.
Revenge was sought by the Lions. They handed the Buckeyes (10-12, 5-6 Big Ten) their second consecutive home loss, defeating them 95-62.
"It was a goal not to lose to the same team twice," said Penn State coach Rene Portland. "So in my mind, that is what today was all about since Ohio State did such a great job and took our home court away from us."
Not only did Penn State (15-8, 7-3 Big Ten) accomplish its goal of beating the Buckeyes, the Lions victory gave Portland her 500th career win.
OSU had only one player in double figures, compared to the Lions who had six. Junior forward Courtney Coleman led OSU with 18 points and 10 rebounds, her third straight double-double performance.
"They are a very, very good team that we had played very well against, and they came out hunting," coach Beth Burns said. "We didn't match their intensity up front early. They are as good as a transition team as you will see in the league."
Kelly Mazzante, Penn State's sophomore guard and leading scorer, led all players with 27 points, followed by freshman guard Jess Strom who added 15.
"Credit to them, they didn't miss a shot," Burns said. "We tried everything that we know how to do with every combination that was dressed, and they didn't miss a shot."
Fast transition by Penn State is what held OSU scoreless for nearly three minutes into the game while Penn State took an early 9-0 lead. A free throw by Coleman at the 16:51 mark put OSU on the scoreboard for the first time.
For Burns, the difference when OSU played the Lions earlier this season was getting PSU forward Rashana Barnes in early foul trouble and dominating the glass. Yesterday was a different story. Penn State out-rebounded the Buckeyes 36-32.
"When we played there we owned the glass," Coleman said. "But here I think they out-rebounded us a lot and then that caused them to not allow us to get in transition like we usually do."
The Buckeyes will hit the road again when they travel to Minnesota to take on the No. 22 Golden Gophers Thursday at 8 p.m.
Be the first to comment on this article!