Benson's 21 not enough for U-M Women's Basketball in 76-58 loss to Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Senior forward Carly Benson (Carney, Mich./Carney Nadeau Public School) was 5-of-12 from behind the three-point line and tallied a team-high 21 points for her seventh game in double figures as the Wolverines dropped a Big Ten conference game 76-58 to Penn State this afternoon (Sunday, Jan. 4) at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Lady Lions shot lights out in the second half, finishing 17-of-32 from the floor -- good for 53.1 percent -- and 5-of-10 from behind the three-point line to put the game out of reach for the Wolverines. Penn State opened the second stanza right where they finished the first frame, and with two quick buckets, built a 12-point lead, forcing the Wolverines to call a timeout. A bucket from sophomore guard Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill/Thornwood) ended a 6-0 Penn State run to open the half, but the Lady Lions used a 10-2 run to take a 39-23 lead with just 4:40 seconds off the second-half clock. The Wolverines were able to put together a small rally, and with back-to-back trifecta's from Benson and freshman guard Courtney Boylan (Minnetonka, Minn./Chaska), cut the deficit to 10 points. However, Penn State's offense was still smoking hot and soon owned another 16-point lead. Michigan heated up from behind the arc in the second half, especially Benson, who tied a career high with her five three-pointers. U-M got as close as 11 points but could not find a way to stop Penn State. The Wolverines opened the game hot from the field as they jumped out to a 10-2 lead behind a pair of triples from Benson. Penn State, which was held to just one field goal through the first four minutes of the game, was able to regroup, and with Michigan holding a 12-4 lead, went on a 6-0 run to cut it to 12-10 behind several big baskets from Julia Trogele. Another triple from Benson pushed the U-M lead to 15-10 and ended Penn State's run. Senior forward Melinda Queen (Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sandburg) added to the Michigan tally with a runner in the lane, but the Lady Lions went on a run of their own, and with seven unanswered, turned a seven-point Michigan lead into a 17-17 tie at the 9:12 mark of the first half. Senior forward Stephany Skrba (Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Seccondary School) was able to end the deadlock with a bucket down low before the Lady Lions took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer from Tyra Grant. A basket from Hicks cut the deficit to 21-22 at the 5:03 mark, but that was the last bucket the Wolverines scored as Penn State went on a 7-0 run to close the half and took a 29-21 lead into the break. Michigan returns to Crisler Arena on Thursday (Jan. 8), welcoming Illinois for a midweek league contest. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Fans can catch the action live with a webcast at BigTenNetwork.com and can hear play-by-play on the radio on WTKA AM 1050 with Matt Park and Nick Brandon on the call.