University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Penn State
WBB: Gophers Fall 68-81 at Penn State
1/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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No. 10 Minnesota was upset by No. 22 Penn State by a 68-81 margin in State College, Pa. With the loss, Minnesota falls to 6-2 in conference play, while Penn State moves to 8-1.
Minnesota was led by Janel McCarville, who tallied 21 points in the loss.
Penn State's Tanisha Wright led all scorers with 32 points, matching her season high.
Minnesota started slow, but picked up the scoring pace in the final 10 minutes of the first half, and went into halftime with just a one- point defecit at 27-28.
The Golden Gophers scored first in the second half, with Jamie Broback making two free throws. Penn State answered with four free throws to take a 32-29 lead which it would not relinquish.
Janel McCarville scored the first field goal of the half with a jumper at 17:23 to bring Minnesota within one at 32-31. Tanisha Wright then scored for the Lady Lions, and drew a foul for a three- point play. The teams traded baskets from the three point line, bringing the score to 37-33.
McCarville scored with 16:17 remaining, which would be Minnesota's last points for more than four minutes. Penn State went on an 11-0 run over the next 4:07, extending its lead to 13 points.
Minnesota battled back to bring the score within eight points on a McCarville three-point play with 9:27 remaining. Penn State's Tanisha Wright answered with a quick basket to bring the Lion's lead back into double digits. At 9:01, April Calhoun tallied two free throws for the Gophers. Penn State's Jess Strom made her way to the charity stripe at 7:50 after being fouled on a three-point shot attempt. She made all three free throws to bring the score to 48-59.
McCarville scored with 7:33 on the clock to bring Minnesota within nine points at 50-59. Harris responed with two free throws for Penn State to extend the lead back to 13 points at 50-63. The Lady Lion's lead would not fall below 10 points the rest of the game.
The 81 points scored by Penn State is the most allowed by Minnesota this season.
Minnesota is next in action when the Gophers host Iowa on Thursday, Feb. 3. The teams will tip off at 7 p.m.
