Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Penn State
No. 16/17 Lady Lions Upend Wildcats, 79-63
1/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Kelly Mazzante led all scorers with 31 points and Jessica Brungo added 14 to help No. 16 Penn State top Northwestern, 79-63.
The Lady Lions (13-3, 4-0) shot 51 percent (18-for-35) from the field in the second half, after opening up a six-point halftime lead. For the game, the club shot well from deep, converting 11-of-30 three-point attempts.
Mazzante, who finished with seven three-point field goals, shot 11-of-18 from the floor, handed out five assists and collected four steals.
Brungo was one of two players with eight assists and snared six rebounds for Penn State, which outscored the Wildcats (6-9, 1-3 Big Ten) 32-20 in the paint.
Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) had 16 points, seven rebounds and a career-high five assists to lead Northwestern, while Michelle Zylstra (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison) added a season-high 13 points off the bench for Northwestern, which has lost five of its last six.
Freshman forward Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) continued her strong play for NU, notching eight points and six rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
Postgame Quotes
Penn State Head Coach Rene Portland
On today's game ...
"We're very pleased with the win. We've come off a tough road trip and then we really made a statement in the conference and this continues that statement. We're finally starting to play some defense, though with an injured starter (forward-center Ashli Schwab) we had kind of an odd lineup out there. We're willing to do whatever we have to do to win."
On the keys to victory ...
"Our shooting helped us a lot. And I think our zone defense did some things for us."
Junior Guard Kelly Mazzante (31 points on 11-18 shooting)
On playing with only seven healthy players ...
"We knew how important it was to not get in foul trouble. We had (guard Jennifer Brenden) and (guard) Jess (Brungo) playing out of position. It showed that we can rally and still get a victory."
On playing patiently ...
"I think it's something that has improved as the year has gone on. Rene has really talked about that since my freshman year, and I just try to let the game come to me. We have so many people on our team that can score and I don't have to. My teammates help me stay patient."
On picking up her second foul midway through the first half ...
"I was mad at myself for getting two stupid fouls. (Jennifer Brenden) came in and hit some big shots. Northwestern started making a little run and she's the type of player that can step up. She's very confident."
Northwestern Head Coach June Olkowski
On Penn State's shooting (51 percent from the field) ...
"We understood before the game how lethal their offense can be, and our goal was to make Mazzante work for her points. But what really hurt us was having three others in double digits. We needed to limit their possessions, and we gave them a lot."
On what her team takes away from the loss ...
"We take away that we've got to be ready to play each half and finish the half. Start and finish games. It's about winning games."
On trying to contain Mazzante ...
"You have to make her run. I think what makes her effective is that they have very unselfish players who will do anything to set a double-screen for her. That's what makes a good shooter-an unselfish team who is willing to give up a shot to get them a shot."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
