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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — In a gripping match on Sunday, Gabby Elliott contributed 14 points, including a decisive layup with approximately 2.5 minutes remaining, leading Penn State to a thrilling 62-59 victory over No. 9 Ohio State, marking the Buckeyes’ first defeat of the season.
Elliott played a crucial role in the final quarter, scoring six points for the Lady Lions (10-9, 1-7 Big Ten), who broke a frustrating seven-game losing streak. Jayla Oden helped with 13 points, while both Moriah Murray and Gracie Merkle finished with 12 points each, delivering Penn State its first win against an AP Top 25 opponent since February 2021.
On the Ohio State side (17-1, 6-1), Cotie McMahon was the standout performer, totaling 19 points for her team. Chance Gray added 18 points, but her last-second 3-pointer attempt fell short, sealing the loss for the Buckeyes.
Key observations from the game revealed that Ohio State maintained the lead for over 23 minutes but experienced a woeful fourth quarter, hitting merely 2 of 12 field goal attempts and struggling to score during the last 6:45 of the match. Meanwhile, Penn State demonstrated resilience, facing their third consecutive challenge against a top-10 team after enduring double-digit losses to No. 4 Southern California and No. 1 UCLA.
A pivotal moment came as Elliott netted two quick layups in a span of less than a minute during the crucial final minutes, allowing Penn State to claim the lead for good. However, in the last minute, she made an errant pass that McMahon intercepted, setting up Gray for a potential equalizer, which unfortunately missed its mark. Murray grabbed the rebound, and her teammates joyously surrounded her on the court.
In terms of statistical highlights, Ohio State entered the matchup averaging over 38 rebounds per game but was outmatched on the boards by the Lady Lions, who secured a significant 39-21 advantage in rebounds.
Looking ahead, Ohio State is set to host No. 8 Maryland on Thursday, while Penn State will travel to face No. 22 Michigan State on Wednesday.
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