Minnesota’s win streak over Penn State ends with 69-60 loss

Minnesota (2-6, 1-5 B1G) saw its recent success over Penn State (4-5, 1-4) come to an end Sunday with a 69-60 loss to the Lady Lions at Williams Arena.

The Golden Gophers had won six in a row in the series and five straight at home, but Penn State used a strong third quarter to score the win.

Sophomore Jasmine Powell led all scorers with 19 points, and she tied fellow sophomore Klarke Sconiers for the team lead in rebounds with six. Also in double figures for Minnesota was senior Laura Bagwell Katalinich, who finished with 12 points and five rebounds.

Junior Kayla Mershon had six points and four rebounds as she made her first start as a Gopher, while freshman Katie Borowicz, who joined the team as an early enrollee on Jan. 2, made her collegiate debut with two points, two assists, a rebound and a steal.

After a tight first quarter in which neither team led by more than three, Penn State opened up a 25-18 lead in the second quarter. Minnesota responded, though, with an 8-0 run that turned into a 13-1 stretch. Ten of the 13 points belonged to Powell as the Gophers turned the seven-deficit into a 31-26 lead with 3:19 to play in the first half.

The Gophers took a 34-33 lead into halftime, but the Lady Lions opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run in the first two minutes of the second half. Minnesota was able to cut the deficit down to five, twice in the frame, but Penn State outscored the Gophers, 21-10, to take a 54-44 lead into the fourth.

A 3-pointer from Powell cut the lead to 57-51 with 6:10 to play in the game, but Minnesota would get no closer than that.

Penn State was led by Kelly Jekot’s 15 points. Johnasia Cash had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Maddie Burke added 13 points.

The Gophers are back in action on Thursday as the host No. 12/12 Maryland.