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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- It was domination from beginning to end for
Penn State in its 82-30 pasting of Minnesota. But at least one
player thinks the Nittany Lions still can play much better
basketball.
|  | | Minnesota's Erin Olson, left, tries to block a shot by a driving Helen Darling of Penn State. |
Andrea Garner scored 22 points to lead the Nittany Lions (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 6 Associated Press) to their ninth straight win heading into Thursday's Big Ten showdown with Illinois at Penn State.
"We're coming into our own, we're very focused," Garner said.
"But we haven't hit our stride. I hope that comes at the end of
February or in March."
Minnesota turned the ball over 35 times and was held to its
lowest point total in 26 years. It was the Gophers' worst scoring
output since the NCAA began women's basketball in the 1981-82
season. Minnesota was held to 21 points in a loss to Wisconsin-La
Crosse in the 1973-74 season and scored 37 in a 1996 loss at
Purdue.
"We don't help matters at all if we don't come out and
compete," said Minnesota coach Cheryl Littlejohn. "We were timid,
looked intimidated. When you come and don't show up, and you don't
have any pride, you don't deserve the benefits afforded to
student-athletes."
The victory extended Penn State's winning streak to nine. It was
Minnesota's third straight loss.
Chrissy Falcone scored 15 of her 17 points in the first half for
Penn State (13-2, 4-0), which along with Illinois are the only
teams with unbeaten Big Ten records. The Lions are 4-0 in the Big
Ten, while Illinois has won all three of its conference games.
Penn State's 82 points were also the most scored against the
Gophers this season.
"We know this is a good team, we have nice leadership," said
Penn State coach Rene Portland. "We're just trying to keep them
very, very focused."
Lisa Shepherd added 13 points for Penn State. Brandi Harris led
Minnesota with 10 points.
Minnesota (7-7, 1-3) missed 11 of its first 12 shots of the
game, but closed to within four points at 18-14 on Lindsay Lieser's
basket with 8:37 remaining in the first half. That's when Penn
State took control, holding Minnesota without a field goal for 9:56
while going on a 23-1 run to take a 41-15 lead early in the second
half.
Harris' layup with 18:41 remaining in the game was Minnesota's
first basket since Lieser's score.
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Penn State Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
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