Penn State cracks this week’s AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll

For the first time since 2014, Penn State women’s basketball is ranked in the AP Top 25 poll.

After receiving 16 votes in last week’s poll, the Lady Lions found themselves in the No. 25 spot when the rankings were released on Monday.

Penn State jumped into the poll after two wins last week. On Sunday, Nov. 26, the Lions fought to win a scrappy game over Providence 73-66. They followed that performance up with a 50-point win over Radford last Wednesday.

The blue and white currently hold a 7-2 record, remaining unbeaten at home. Their only losses came against USC in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship and West Virginia in Morgantown on Monday. The Trojans were ranked No. 8 at the time of the contest.

Their early-season success has come from a mix of both offensive attack and aggressive defensive play.

Guard Makenna Marisa currently sits on 144 points through nine games, and was put on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List for the second straight season. She also tied her single-game career-high in points with 34 in their win over Kansas.

Sophomore Shay Ciezki had a personal best 27 points against Oklahoma State and is tied for fourth in the Big Ten in three-pointers made.

Penn State’s defense has also been strong. The Lady Lions rank second in the conference in blocked shots, and third in the conference in steals.

Head Coach Carolyn Kieger said in her most recent press conference that the team prides itself on its defensive work. She wants Penn State to continue their pressure and “create havoc” in upcoming games.

Their next challenge is on the road against No. 12 Ohio State on Sunday. The Buckeyes are Penn State’s first in-conference opponent of the season.

As previously mentioned, this marks the first time the Lady Lions have been ranked since the 2013-14 season. They entered that season ranked No. 13 in the AP Preseason Poll and were placed as high as No. 8.

In the same amount of games, the 2013-14 team went 6-3, but they also played two Top 5 teams in the first month of play.

Under Keiger’s predecessor, Coquese Washington, Penn State was Big Ten Regular Season Co-Champions. They made it to the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 6 Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen.

The Lady Lions have not been back to the tournament since, only making two WNIT appearances in that time.

Before their win over the Kansas Jayhawks, Coach Kieger described her squad as an “elite team with Sweet Sixteen talent.” With their showings so far, the Lady Lions seem to be on the right track to get there.

Jack Rachinsky is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jjr6682@psu.edu