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UNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State picked up its first conference win of the season with a convincing 90-72 win over Rutgers Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center. Makenna Marisa led all scorers with 32 points (just two shy of her career-high) and reached the 1,500-point mark of her career.
The Lady Lions, who improved to 10-4 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten, started off hot, going on a 16-2 run after exchanging opening baskets. Penn State drilled six treys in the opening quarter, including three from Marisa who netted 15 points in that time. Penn State exhibited stout defense, forcing 13 turnovers including six steals and cashing those swipes into 20 points to lead 33-13.
Penn State remained in front in the second quarter, with its lead never dipping below 16 points. The Lady Lions closed out the half with a 9-1 run for the 53-29 edge.
Despite three separate Rutgers runs of five unanswered points, Penn State never let its lead dip below 16 points in the third quarter.
Penn State maintained its double-digit advantage through the fourth using a 10-for-12 effort at the line to cruise to the victory.
Marisa tied assistant coach Maggie Lucas for the third-most career 30-point games (seven) in program history with her second of the season (34 at Minnesota).
Leilani Kapinus, who ranked 10th in the nation in steals and leads the Big Ten coming into the contest, had six steals to reach 100 in her career.
Penn State faces No. 14/19 Michigan on the road Tuesday at 1 p.m.
RUTGERS (6-9): Cornwell 5-6 3-4 13, Lafayette 3-11 4-4 10, Brown 5-10 2-4 13, Sidibe 3-7 1-1 7, Smikle 5-9 6-6 18, Bates 1-3 0-0 3, Carter 1-2 2-2 5, Streeter 1-3 0-0 3. Totals--24-51 18-21 72
PENN ST. (10-4): Brigham 1-1 3-4 5, Pinto 4-6 0-0 8, Ciezki 2-7 3-4 7, Kapinus 5-14 3-4 14, Marisa 11-22 6-7 32, Camden 3-4 0-0 8, Cash 0-3 0-0 0, Dia 0-0 1-2 1, Williamson 0-4 0-0 0, Tensaie 0-0 2-2 2, Thompson 4-9 2-3 11, Thomas 0-0 2-2 2. Totals--30-70 22-28 90
Rutgers 13 16 21 22 -- 72
Penn St. 33 20 19 18 -- 90
3-Point Goals--Rutgers 6-12 (Brown 1-1, Sidibe 0-1, Smikle 2-4, Bates 1-2, Carter 1-1, Streeter 1-3), Penn St. 8-22 (Pinto 0-1, Ciezki 0-2, Kapinus 1-5, Marisa 4-9, Camden 2-3, Thompson 1-2). Assists--Rutgers 16 (Sidibe 5), Penn St. 19 (Ciezki 5, Kapinus 5). Fouled Out--None. Rebounds--Rutgers 41 (Brown 8), Penn St. 29 (Ciezki 5, Marisa 5). Total Fouls--Rutgers 23, Penn St. 17. Technical Fouls--None. A--2,368.