Posted March 25, 2024 | Article by Will Duerksen | Photo by Megan Miller
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Despite playing over 140 games in her five seasons for Penn State, Makenna Marisa had never experienced a postseason game beyond the Big Ten Tournament before this season.
In the second game of her first postseason run with Penn State, Marisa finished with 18 points, including 14 in the second half, to help give Penn State a 74-66 win over Belmont. The guard credited her offensive breakout to Penn State’s defense, which forced 20 Bruins turnovers.
“Our defense really got us going,” Marisa said. “When we get steals, when we play upbeat when we play Penn State basketball or up-tempo, that’s when we get things going on offense.”
Penn State found itself in a close game early, trailing Belmont by three going into halftime. The Bruins racked up 39 rebounds in the contest to Penn State’s 28, presenting another challenge for Lady Lions head coach Carolyn Kieger, who singled out her team’s adaptability when it came to rebounding.
“Belmont did a great job in the first half crashing from the weak side,” she said. “I thought our team weathered it and did a great job there in the second half.”
Once the second half started, Penn State found another level on the offensive end. Beginning with a 3-pointer from Shay Ciezki, Penn State outscored Belmont 45-34 over the final two quarters. In addition to Marisa, two bench players came through for the blue and white in the second half.
Jayla Oden continued her presence off the bench in the WBIT by eclipsing double figures in scoring for the first time since Feb. 28. Kieger credited the Illinois transfer for stepping up on the other end of the floor.
“Her defense has really given us a spark,” she said. “I think you’re starting to see her confidence build as it grows here, but it started on the defensive end.”
Like Oden, Chanaya Pinto also delivered off the bench, scoring five points in a late stretch near the end of the game. The graduate student forward ultimately finished with seven points in 15 minutes.
With Penn State nursing a four-point lead late in the game, Marisa and Leilani Kapinus each made a pair of free throws, ensuring Penn State got the win. Kapinus also topped 1,000 career points after making an earlier free throw.
“It means a lot,” she said. “To be able to do it on a big stage like this was a dream come true.”
With the win, Penn State will face a Mississippi State team that also came close to reaching the NCAA Tournament Thursday. While the game will mark the last time Marisa and several other seniors play in the Bryce Jordan Center, Kieger knows the Bulldogs will be a tough test.
“We know Mississippi State’s going to come in from the jump and be really aggressive on the offensive rebounds,” she said. “We just gotta keep teaching, keep growing, keep showing up and keep battling.”
Will Duerksen is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email wdd5066@psu.edu.
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