ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands — Guard Kelly Mazzante led four Penn State players in double figures as the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions defeated No. 10 LSU, 86-52, Saturday night in the consolation game of the Paradise Jam Classic.
LSU (2-3) continues its three-game road swing Tuesday in Dallas, as the Lady Tigers face SMU at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the LSU Sports Network, and it can be heard in Baton Rouge on 107.3 FM. The LSU-SMU game will also be broadcast on the Internet at LSUsports.net.
Penn State (3-2) bolted to a 10-0 first-half lead Saturday, extending its advantage to 42-22 by halftime. The Lady Lions shot 59.3 percent (16-for-27) from the floor in the first half, while limiting LSU to 30.3 percent shooting (10-for-33) from the field.
Mazzante hit 9-of-13 shots from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Forward Maren Walseth contributed 14 points and six rebounds for Penn State, which outrebounded LSU, 43-32.
LSU, which entered the Paradise Jam Classic as the tournament’s top seed, was 0-2 this weekend as the Lady Tigers dropped an 85-75 decision to No. 17 Southwest Missouri State on Friday.
“This (LSU) team is a lot better than what we ve seen in this tournament,” LSU assistant coach Paula Lee said. “It’s a hard lesson to learn, and it has cost us a chance to stay in the Top 10. It’s disappointing that Penn State came out and played with more intensity that we did. We need to step up and play like we are capable of playing.”
Forward Lisa Shepherd added 11 points for Penn State, and center Rashana Barnes posted 10 points and seven rebounds.
Penn State hit 13-of-15 free throws, while LSU was just 2-for-5 from the line. The Lady Lions also forced 19 LSU turnovers which resulted in 25 Penn State points.
LSU freshman guard Doneeka Hodges scored a career-high 15 points to lead three Lady Tigers in double figures. Senior guard Marie Ferdinand added 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while freshman forward Roneeka Hodges posted her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
LSU dressed only eight players for the game, as forward Ke-Ke Tardy could not play due to a thigh injury. Center DeTrina White, a 2000 second-team all-SEC performer, has yet to play this season due to a back ailment.