University Park, Pa. -- Kelly Mazzante (Montoursville, Pa.) scored 24 points in No. 8/8 Penn State's 79-64 win over Illinois on Sunday (Jan. 18), in the process breaking the Big Ten conference women's basketball all-time career scoring record.
The game was a record-setter in several ways, highlighted by Mazzante, who hit a free throw at the 7:05 mark in the first half to break the scoring mark of 2,578 points, previously held by Ohio State's Katie Smith (1992-96). The two-time Kodak All-American and Wade Trophy national player of the year candidate finished the game with 2,594 career points, leaving her just 20 away from passing the men's conference mark of 2,613, set by Indiana's Calbert Cheaney (1990-93).
For her efforts, Mazzante was named Big Ten women's basketball player of the week.
Ironically, Mazzante broke the Penn State career scoring record in the same fashion earlier this year with a free throw in the second half in Penn State's 83-46 win over LSU at home, Nov. 21.
Another record also fell Sunday, as 13,305 fans filled the Bryce Jordan Center to see the historic game. The previous Lady Lions attendance record was 12,473, set March 2, 2003 in a game against Wisconsin.
Several other Lady Lions stepped up for Penn State (13-3, 6-0) in the win over Illinois (7-10, 1-5), including: junior Tanisha Wright (West Mifflin, Pa.) who chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and four assists; and Ashli Schwab (Myerstown, Pa.), who also scored 12 points, a season-high for the junior center.
"It's a great day for Kelly and her family," said Penn State head coach Rene Portland. "It's great for Penn State to have this in record in a conference we joined not so long ago."
"I think the team and I knew it was going to happen," said Mazzante. "I made the free-throw, then went up to hug my parents and it was done."
⢠With 7:05 remaining in the first half, Penn State's Kelly Mazzante knocked down a pair of free throws to pass Ohio State's Katie Smith for first place on the Big Ten's all-time scoring list. Mazzante currently sits at 2,594 after a 24-point effort, 16 points ahead of Smith's 2,578.
⢠Mazzante is now just 19 points shy of Indiana's Calbert Cheaney's 2,613 points for first place among both men's and women's basketball Big Ten all-time scoring marks. Cheaney scored his 2,613 in 132 games, while Mazzante's current 2,594 points have come in 115.
⢠Mazzante's 24 points mark the ninth time this season and 69th time of her career that she has scored 20 or more points in a contest.
⢠With the win over Illinois, Penn State improves to 16-9 in the schools' all-time series. The Lady Lions have won four of the last five series meetings.
⢠Penn State has now won six consecutive games (all in the Big Ten) and sits atop the conference standings with its 6-0 mark.
⢠The game attendance of 13,305 sets a new Bryce Jordan record, topping the previous mark of 12,473, set on March 2, 2003.
⢠The Lady Lions tied a season-best with their 14 steals versus the Illini. They also tallied 14 steals in contests versus Iowa (1/8/04) and Pitt (12/14/03).
⢠Penn State outscored Illinois in points in the paint (38-22), points off turnovers (23-13), second chance points (16-7) and fast break points (18-6) in today's contest.
⢠Ashli Schwab scored a season-high 12 points today, topping her previous best of 11 (at Wisconsin, 1/11/04). It was her second double-digit scoring effort of the season, each of which coming in the team's last three games.