Women's basketball defeats Penn State, 54-46, Big Ten Tournament title within reach
From left to right junior forward Annalise Pickrel, senior forward Courtney Schiffauer and sophomore center Madison Williams cheer near the end of the game against Penn State on March, 9, 2013, at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. during the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans defeated the Nittany Lions 54-46. Julia Nagy/The State News
After a hard fought defensive battle, the MSU women’s basketball team upset No. 1 seed and No. 8 in the nation Penn State, 54-46.
Senior forward Courtney Schiffauer gave the Spartans their first lead of the game with a driving layup less than five minutes into the second half.
Penn State answered with a 3-pointer during the next possession, but sophomore forward Becca Mills returned the favor with a jumper to tie it at 24.
The Spartans led by as many as eight, but back-to-back Penn State three pointers cut the lead to one with just more than eight minutes to play.4
But thanks to Mills and senior guard Jasmine Thomas, the Spartans pulled away.
Mills finished with 16 points and was just one rebound shy of a double-double, and Thomas ended up with 17 points and six rebounds and three assists to go with her two steal.
The Spartans take on Purdue Sunday at 4 p.m. with a Big Ten Tournament title on the line.
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