Jan 8, 2004
By DAN LEWERENZ
Associated Press Writer
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Kelly Mazzante scored 30 points, leading No. 9 Penn State to a 92-64 victory over Iowa on Thursday night.
The Lady Lions (10-3, 3-0 Big Ten) scored the last eight points of the first half, then opened the second half with an 8-2 run, going up 48-28 with 17:34 left when Mazzante leaned in to split a triple team in the lane.
Three times Iowa (7-6, 1-1) was able to get within 17, the last time on a 3-pointer by Becca McCann that made it 70-53 with 6:55 left.
But Penn State closed the game with a 22-10 run, including consecutive 3-pointers by Mazzante.
It was the 27th time in her career that Mazzante scored at least 30 points. She’s only 42 points behind former Ohio State All-American Katie Smith on the Big Ten career scoring list.
Tanisha Wright scored 18 points for the Lady Lions, Amanda Brown added 14 and Jess Strom had 10. Jess Brungo had 10 rebounds.
Penn State also played tough defense, holding Iowa’s second-leading scorer, Kristi Faulkner, to just two points, more than 13 below her average.
Jennie Lillis led the Hawkeyes with 23 points, Johanna Solverson scored 16 and Jamie Cavey had 13.
Iowa closed to 32-26 on Cavey’s inside jumper with 2:14 left in the first half. But Penn State ended the half with an 8-0 run, with Jennifer Brenden’s last-second jumper making it 40-26 at halftime.