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Bentley and Lucas Named to Naismith Award Watch List
Penn State is one of 11 schools with multiple players on the list
UNIVERSITY
PARK, PA.; December 1, 2011 — Penn State Lady Lion junior guard Alex
Bentley (Indianapolis, Ind.) and sophomore guard Maggie Lucas
(Narberth, Pa.) have been named to the Naismith Women’s Award
early-season watch list, it was announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
The Naismith Women’s Award is given to the nation’s top female
collegiate basketball player. Penn State is one of 11 schools with
multiple players on the list and the only Big Ten team.
Bentley,
who is also on the Wade Trophy and Wooden Award watch lists, is ninth
in the Big Ten in scoring with a 15.3 mark this season. Additionally,
she is in the top five in the conference in assists (4th/6.3), free
throw percentage (4th/.923) and steals (5th/2.9). The Big Ten Preseason
Player of the Year was the Nugget Classic Tournament MVP after
averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals in two games last
weekend. Bentley turned in her first career double-double Wednesday
night with 15 points and a personal-best 15 assists in the win over
#14/13 North Carolina. Bentley needs 23 points to become the 33rd
player in school history with1,000 points.
The
Indianapolis native was instrumental in helping the Lady Lions return
NCAA Tournament last year for the first time since 2005 with a 25-10
record. She became the 11th different Lady Lion to garner All-Big Ten
first team honors last season after finishing in the Top 15 in the Big
Ten in scoring (12th/14.4), assists (2nd/5.0), field goal percentage
(14th/.446),free throw percentage (11th/.798) and assist-to-turnover
ratio (4th/1.7). Bentley was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team
after averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.0 steals in three
tourney contests. Additionally, she registered seven 20-point games,
including a pair of 20-point performances in the NCAA Tournament.
Lucas
continues to impress in her sophomore season, averaging a team-best
18.7 points per game, which is second in the Big Ten. She was recently
named to the Nugget Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 22.0
points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two wins. Additionally, Lucas
was the Lady Lion Classic MVP after averaging 18.0 points, 5.5
rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in a pair of wins. Lucas reached
the 600-point plateau with 12 points at Delaware (11/17) to become the
third-fastest player in school history to reach the mark (Kelly
Mazzante & Susan Robinson; 33 games). The Narberth, Pa. native is
sixth on Penn State’s career three-pointers list with 129, just 42
games in to her career.
Lucas garnered 2011 Big Ten
Freshman of the Year and 2011 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year
accolades after a record-breaking rookie campaign. The Narberth, Pa.
native shattered the Big Ten and Penn State single-season record for
three-pointers (112) and also broke Kelly Mazzante’s Penn State
freshman season scoring record with 552 tallies. The All-Big Tenthird
team choice finished fourth in the NCAA in three-point field goals made
and 11th in three-point field goal percentage. Additionally, Lucas was
seventh in the conference in scoring with a 15.8 average.
The
Lady Lions travel to Texas Tech in the return game of the Big 12/Big
Ten Challenge Saturday. Last season, Penn State earned a 76-68 win at
home over the Red Raiders. The Lady Lions are 3-2 all-time against TTU
with wins in the last two games. PSU dropped a 79-65 decision in the
only meeting in Lubbock on Dec. 21, 2004. Penn State opens a three-game
homestand against Virginia Tech on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Lady Lion
Basketball season tickets are available by calling 814-867-2557. Season
tickets are $117 for adults, $52 for youth and $91 forseniors. Single
game tickets go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 11. PNC Flex Books are available
again this year for $99. The Flex Book gives fans 12 vouchers,
including one for the Coaches vs. Cancer game and one for the Pink Zone
game, that can be redeemed for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion Basketball
tickets in any combination.
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