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From Mirror, wire reports
NASSAU, Bahamas — Sophomore guard Shay Ciezki’s career high scoring night of 27 points highlighted the Penn State women’s basketball team’s 89-80 win over the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in the opening game of the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship at the Baha Mar Convention Center Monday night.
The Lady Lions secured their fifth-straight victory to open the season, matching their 5-0 start from last year while booking a pair of wins over power-five opposition.
PSU is now 2-0 against teams that competed in last year’s NCAA Tournament after downing OSU and St. John’s in addition to logging a win over the reigning WNIT champion Kansas Jayhawks last week.
Penn State’s gauntlet of point scores with six reaching double figures for the third time this season persisted in the opening game of the tournament. The Lady Lions connected on 48 percent of their field goal attempts in addition to 45 percent of their tries from long range.
The key to the game was Penn State’s ability to convert defense into offense. The Lady Lions forced 25 turnovers at the hands of the Cowgirls and converted 29 points off that defensive effort.
Ciezki, a native of Buffalo, New York, also matched her personal high seven 3-point baskets made. Her 18 second-half points led all scoring in the game and led the team to 10 total buckets from beyond the arc.
Guard Tay Valladay also impressed from deep, sinking two-of-three from range. She finished with a season-high 16 points while adding a game high five steals.
Senior Ali Brigham was a threat on the inside, producing a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the forward’s 30th double-figure outing. Chanaya Pinto (11) Makenna Marisa (10) and Jayla Oden (10) rounded out the six Lady Lions scoring 10 or more points.
The Lady Lions are set for their first ranked matchup of the season on Wednesday in round 2 when they take on No. 8 USC. The tipoff is set for 9 p.m.
PENN ST. (5-0): Pinto 2-7 7-7 11, Brigham 7-12 0-0 14, Ciezki 9-20 2-2 27, Kapinus 0-3 1-2 1, Marisa 4-7 2-2 10, Lavelle 0-1 0-0 0, Murray 0-0 0-0 0, Oden 2-3 5-6 10, Valladay 5-7 4-6 16, Totals 29-60 21-25 89
OKLAHOMA ST. (2-2): Garzon 5-13 0-0 13, Asi 4-9 2-2 13, Heard 2-6 3-6 7, Langerman 2-4 4-5 8, Noble 3-7 6-6 15, Egharevba 2-2 0-1 4, Jackson 0-0 2-2 2, Fauntleroy 3-5 0-1 7, Prater 5-11 0-0 11, Totals 26-57 17-23 80
SCORE BY QUARTERs
Penn State 20 12 25 32 — 89
Oklahoma State 12 14 29 25 — 80
3-Point Goals–Penn St. 10-22 (Pinto 0-1, Ciezki 7-13, Kapinus 0-2, Marisa 0-2, Oden 1-1, Valladay 2-3), Oklahoma St. 11-29 (Garzon 3-10, Asi 3-8, Heard 0-1, Langerman 0-2, Noble 3-4, Fauntleroy 1-2, Prater 1-2). Assists–Penn St. 15 (Oden 4), Oklahoma St. 14 (Asi 4). Fouled Out–Penn St. Pinto, Oklahoma St. Prater. Rebounds–Penn St. 31 (Brigham 10), Oklahoma St. 33 (Heard 8). Total Fouls–Penn St. 27, Oklahoma St. 22. Technical Fouls–None. A–364.