Penn State Lady Lions hit triple digits over Navy

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Lady Lions defeated the Navy Midshipmen Friday evening in the Bryce Jordan Center after hitting triple digits 107 to 44 during their military appreciation game.

The Midshipmen came out strong making three three-pointers to start their possessions, but by the end of the first quarter, it was all Lady Lions.

Penn State finished the quarter in dominating fashion on an 18-to-nothing scoring run during the final four minutes of the quarter.

The Lady Lions did not stop their dominance after the first quarter. They outscored the Midshipmen 23 to seven in the second quarter and by even more in the third quarter. The midshipmen faced multiple scoring droughts throughout the game that the Nittany Lions were able to capitalize on.

The key to helping the Nittany Lions to that breakaway was Guard Leilani Kapinus. She finished the game with 10-12 for 24 points, nine rebounds and crisp passes to help out her team.

“That’s the most complete game I’ve seen Leilani play from a rebounding standpoint, from a passing standpoint, taking the right shots,” head coach Carolyn Kieger said about Kapinus’s impact.

Kapinus briefly left the game during the third quarter but was able to return to the game.

“I want to play as much as I can while I’m out there. I’m obviously no stranger to injuries… so being on the court is very important for me and the team. Just show up as best as I can for them” Kapinus said.

Kapinus is one of six players who finished with double-digit points and one of eight players with 20 or more minutes played.

“I think in years past maybe we would have had to leave them in there a little bit too long. They got a little fatigued but now you see what they can do when they’re fresh,” coach Kieger said.

The bench scored 35 bench points Tuesday against Bucknell and 38 Friday against Navy. The unselfishness and trust in this team is what helped them to be so effective out on the court.

“Our chemistry from the summer has built a lot, and I think we’ve all just been playing very well together. And their trust is something that helps me a lot,” redshirt freshman guard Moriah Murray said.

Another component that was costly to the midshipmen but beneficial for the Lady Lions was Navy’s 26 turnovers that resulted in 31 points for Penn State.

“You’re going to see that all year,” Coach Kieger said. “We have players who absolutely love defense. And what’s about that is it’s hyping everybody else up and it’s contagious and it's useful.”

In addition to the forced turnovers, the Lady Lions had 57 rebounds, 15 being offensive rebounds.

The Lady Lions themself had 19 turnovers. As they prepare to face Kansas on Monday, turnovers will be a key focus in practice.

“I feel like a lot of the time our turnovers are self-inflicted. Just decision making and kind of playing rush so just slowing our mind down and playing together,” Kapinus said.

In their toughest game this season on Monday, the Lady Lions will look to continue their dominant and complete gameplay.

Lauren Harth is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email lah6271@psu.edu.