Lady Lions Return to Happy Valley to Host no. 9/8 Ohio StateLady Lions Return to Happy Valley to Host no. 9/8 Ohio State
Caleb Craig

Lady Lions Return to Happy Valley to Host no. 9/8 Ohio State

Women’s basketball set for clash with the Buckeyes

Box Score

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women’s basketball returns to Happy Valley to welcome no. 9/8 Ohio State in the team’s third consecutive top 10 match up of the week on Sunday, Jan. 19. Tip time in the Bryce Jordan Center is set for 1 p.m. with the contest being streamed on B1G+.

GAME INFORMATION

vs no. 9/8 Ohio State

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Bryce Jordan Center
  • Live Stats | Watch: B1G+ | Notes | Radio
  • Admission: Ticketed

LAST TIME OUT

  • Penn State put up a fight in its most recent game against no. 1 UCLA. Due to wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area, the game was moved from Pauley Pavillion on UCLA’s campus to Walter Pyramid on Long Beach State’s campus,
  • Gabby Elliott, Talayah Walker and Alli Campbell all scored in double figures for the third-straight game, two of which came against top five opponents.
  • Elliott and Walker both posted a team high 17 points. Elliott’s 17 points marked her sixth consecutive game in double-digits. Walker also led the team in rebounds, grabbing nine boards off the glass.
  • Campbell put up 12 points, marking her eighth double figure scoring out of the season, to go along with six rebounds and six assists.
  • This was the Lady Lions’ first time playing the top ranked team in the country since facing UConn on Nov. 17, 2013.
  • In the tightly contested game, there were eight lead changes and three tie scores.
  • Penn State put forth a productive night on offense, shooting at 47% from the field and 38% from three-point range to total 67 points as a team, the second largest point total scored on UCLA this season.
  • As a team, the Lady Lions dished out 20 assists, their eighth time producing 20-plus assists this season.

LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO STATE

  • Ohio State won both match ups last season.
  • The no. 25 Lady Lions faced the no. 12 Buckeyes in Columbus on Dec. 10, 2023. Penn State lost to OSU in overtime 94-84. Makenna Marisa posted 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The team produced 50% shooting from three-point range.
  • Ohio State traveled to Happy Valley where it met Penn State in its Return to Rec game. The Buckeyes cruised to a 82-69 win. Ashley Owusu, Leilani Kapinus and Ali Brigham all scored in double figures.

SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES

  • Ohio State is one of just three teams that remain undefeated across the country with a 17-0 record overall and 5-0 in conference play.
  • Th Buckeyes have the ninth best scoring offense in the country, averaging 84.8 points per game. Meanwhile, they hold opposing offenses to 58 points per game, securing a 26.8 scoring margin, the 11th-best in the country.
  • Ohio State’s defense is disruptive, producing 13.6 steals per game while maintaining composed on its own end, only turning the ball over 11.65 times per game which is the best margin in the nation.
  • Cotie McMahon leads the team on offense, averaging 16.5 points per game, good for eighth best in the conference.
  • Chance Gray, Jalonia Cambridge, Ajae Petty and Taylor Thierry also average double figure scoring, with 15.8, 15.4, 10.8 and 10.4 points per game respectively.
  • The Buckeyes were ranked 14th to begin the 2024-25 campaign and have moved up to nine.
  • McMahon earned a slew of awards during the preseason including being named to the Jersey Mikes Naismith Trophy Watch List, Cheryl Miller Preseason Watch List and Wooden Award Preseason Watch List. Petty also secured a spot on the Wooden Preseason List. McMahon also advanced to the Midseason Wooden Watch List as announced in January.
  • In 2023-24, Ohio State produced a 26-6 overall, 16-2 Big Ten record, guiding them to a regular season Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2010.
  • The Buckeyes earned a no. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, securing hosting rights through the first and second rounds. The Buckeyes defeated Maine in the opening round and suffered a loss to Duke to conclude their season in the second round.

PENN STATE – OSU SERIES

  • This will be the 74th meeting between Penn State and Ohio State.
  • The series dates back to Dec. 8, 1976.
  • Ohio State is Penn State’s most played Big Ten opponent in history.
  • The Lady Lions are 20-12 in games played in Happy Valley against the Buckeyes.