Women's College Basketball
Roundup: Penn State, Purdue headed for showdown

By The Associated Press

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Penn State Nittany Lions are one home win away from claiming their third outright Big Ten title in five seasons.

Kelly Mazzante had 23 points and Jess Strom added 18 as the nation's No. 6 team beat No. 22 Michigan State 63-51 last night to set up a showdown with league co-leader Purdue on Sunday afternoon.

"Obviously, we're very thrilled with the win," Penn State coach Rene Portland said. "We came in knowing that this game would have a major impact on us winning the Big Ten. Now, we have a chance to do that on Sunday."

Strom had 10 points in the first 7:04 as the Nittany Lions (22-4, 14-1) took a 21-8 advantage. Mazzante — the league's top career scorer for men and women — took over from there, scoring 15 points in the last 20:03 and boosting her four-year total to 2,771.

"Michigan State has been one of my biggest challenges as far as figuring out ways to score," Mazzante said. "I watched a lot of film, figured out ways to get open shots and tried to get to the foul line."

Jess Brungo added 11 points for Penn State, which never trailed and built a 50-24 cushion. Its starters stayed in the game until the finish.

Kelli Roehrig had 14 points and was the only player to score in double figures for the slumping Spartans (19-7, 9-6).

Michigan State dropped its third game in a row and its fourth in eight conference home games.

Other games

 
No. 2 Tennessee 93, at Arkansas 71 — Tasha Butts scored 25 points and Shyra Ely added 17 for the Volunteers (24-2, 13-0 Southeastern Conference). Shameka Christon led the Razorbacks (16-10, 5-8) with 25 points in the final home game of her career.

At No. 4 Purdue 84, Iowa 55 — Shereka Wright had 21 points to lead the Boilermakers (24-2, 14-1 Big Ten) to their 15th straight victory. The rout of the Hawkeyes (15-11, 9-6) kept Purdue in a tie for first place in the conference.

No. 7 Louisiana Tech 83, at UTEP 60 — Amisha Carter scored 22 points as the Techsters (21-2, 14-1 Western Athletic) remained tied with Rice for the conference lead. Ingrid Goslin led the Miners (14-11, 9-7) with 16 points.

No. 11 North Carolina 71, at Florida St. 58 — Camille Little scored 16 points to help the Tar Heels (21-5, 11-4) take the second seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. Tasheika Allen had 22 points for the Seminoles (14-13, 7-9).

No. 25 Ohio State 76, at No. 12 Minnesota 62 — Brandie Hoskins had 17 points and 11 assists, and the Buckeyes (18-8, 10-5 Big Ten) pulled off 16 steals while forcing 19 turnovers by the Gophers (20-6, 9-6).

At No. 15 LSU 85, Mississippi 68 — Temeka Johnson, playing what could have been her final regular-season home game, had 22 points and seven assists for the Tigers (22-5, 10-3 SEC). Armintie Price led the Rebels (15-12, 6-7) with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

No. 18 Auburn 72, at Alabama 40 — Le'Coe Willingham had 17 points and eight rebounds to help the Tigers (21-6, 9-4 SEC) drub the Crimson Tide (12-14, 4-9).

At Florida 69, No. 19 Georgia 59 — Bernice Mosby scored 14 of her 19 points in the second half as the Gators (17-9, 7-6 SEC) snapped a four-game losing streak. Christi Thomas scored 20 points for the Bulldogs (18-8, 7-6).

At No. 24 Vanderbilt 87, Mississippi St. 64 — Reserve Ashley Earley had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Commodores (19-7, 7-6 SEC). Tan White scored 30 points for the Bulldogs (12-14, 6-7).

Summaries, C 10

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