Penn State Wilkes-Barre Basketball: Dominant Wins for Both the Women's and Men's Teams
By: Jedidiah Ashton | Sportzwire | November 19, 2024 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple
The past week has been an exciting one for Penn State basketball, with both the Lady Lions and Nittany Lions putting on impressive performances. From dominating offensive showcases to suffocating defensive efforts, both teams showed why they are among the top programs in the country.
Lady Lions Cruise to Victory Behind Karma Paez's Stellar Performance
On November 9, 2024, the Penn State Women's Basketball team made a statement with a commanding 73-52 victory over their opponent. From the opening tip-off, the Lady Lions took control of the game, never giving their competition an inch. It was a well-rounded effort, but the spotlight was firmly on Guard Karma Paez, who had a standout performance.
Paez, who has been a consistent leader for the Lady Lions, finished the game with a team-high 24 points, adding 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Her ability to score both inside and from the perimeter was on full display, and she looked every bit like one of the best players in the Big Ten. Her shooting was efficient, as she hit key shots at crucial moments to keep the Lady Lions ahead by double digits for much of the game.
Defensively, Penn State was relentless, forcing turnovers and disrupting the flow of the opposition's offense. Whether it was through ball pressure or contesting shots, the Lady Lions stifled their opponent's chances to make a comeback. This all-around dominance was clear as they outpaced their opponent from start to finish, securing a comfortable 21-point win.
Just days later, on November 14, 2024, the Penn State Men's Basketball team followed suit with a dominant 102-71 victory over Sussex College, showcasing their own brand of basketball excellence. From the moment the game began, the Nittany Lions’ defense set the tone, suffocating Sussex College’s offensive rhythm and forcing numerous turnovers.
It was a game in which Jedidiah Ashton shined once again, recording his second consecutive double-double with a stat line of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Ashton’s physicality in the paint and ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting made him a constant matchup nightmare for Sussex. He was a key figure in the team’s early dominance, helping the Nittany Lions build an insurmountable lead by halftime.
However, it wasn’t just Ashton’s individual brilliance that led to the blowout win. The Nittany Lions’ defense was suffocating from the opening tip-off, with Jayden Ford and Tyrese Smith leading the charge in pressuring the ball and disrupting Sussex College’s offensive flow. Penn State forced 18 turnovers and turned those mistakes into easy transition points, helping them race to a 31-point victory.
Both the Lady Lions and the Nittany Lions look poised for strong seasons ahead, with standout performances from key players like Karma Paez and Jedidiah Ashton. As Penn State continues to dominate both sides of the ball, fans will be watching closely to see how both teams develop over the course of the season. With such early momentum, both squads will be hungry to build on their success and make a push for postseason glory.
Both teams are on the road tonight traveling to Penn State Hazelton for their first conference matchup.
