The realization that the season is over is always a tough pill to swallow. That pill becomes even larger when the loss comes at the buzzer.
Penn State closed their regular season on a slide, losing seven games in a row. But none of the regular season games matter when it comes to tournament play. It’s just about winning one game at a time and advancing.
The Lady Lions managed to do that in their first game of the tournament. They beat Minnesota and set up a showdown with the Michigan Wolverines in the second round.
It was a tight game from start to finish, but ultimately Penn State lost the game 63-61.
Senior guard [autotag]Makenna Marisa[/autotag] had a contested look to extend the game, but the shot hit the front rim as the buzzer sounded. This was the end to a flurry of points with two minutes left as the Lady Lions erased a nine point deficit.
Back to a one-possession game! @leilani_kapinus #UnleashThePRIDE #B1GWBBT pic.twitter.com/FSX1ooNcFf
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) March 2, 2023
Ultimately the comeback fell just a bit short.
It was a tough way for Marisa’s career to end. She was a two time All-Big Ten selection by the media and was looking to get her team into the tournament for the first time since 2014.
Backdoor was open for @leilani_kapinus!#UnleashThePRIDE #B1GWBBT pic.twitter.com/pPrMkN20gx
— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) March 2, 2023
She finished the game with a game high 16 points and seven assists. Her fellow guard [autotag]Leilani Kapinus[/autotag] also scored 16 points along with five assists and seven rebounds. Senior forward [autotag]Alexa Williamson[/autotag] finished her career with 12 points in the game.
Four Michigan Wolverines finished in double figures. Senior forward [autotag]Emily Kiser[/autotag] and sophomore guard [autotag]Laila Phelia[/autotag] scored a team high 13 points.
After falling short in the Big Ten Tournament, the NCAA Tournament dreams for the Lady Lions are officially over. It’s to be seen if they’ll be invited to the WNIT or WBI Tournaments to continue their season.
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