Sports

No. 9 Penn State women use balance to beat Michigan State 76-55

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Penn State's Maggie Lucas (33) shoots against Michigan State's Klarissa Bell (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (The Associated Press)

Penn State's Nikki Greene (54), Michigan State's Becca Mills, center, and Penn State's Tori Waldner, left, fight for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, in East Lansing, Mich. Penn State won 76-55. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (The Associated Press)

Nikki Greene scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead No. 9 Penn State to a 76-55 win over Michigan State on Sunday.

The backcourt of Dara Taylor, Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas also produced 43 points for the No. 9 Nittany Lions (12-2, 2-0 Big Ten) against the nation's second-ranked scoring defense.

Greene was 6-for-9 from the field, while Taylor was 7-for-10 in scoring 18 points.

Becca Mills had 17 points, including three 3-pointers, for the Spartans (13-2, 1-1), who hadn't allowed more than 60 all season. Jasmine Hines added 12 points.

Penn State shot 52 percent from the field, including hitting 58 percent of its 3-pointers. The Nittany Lions dominated on defense also blocking seven shots and holding the Spartans to 29 percent shooting.

Penn State led by two before scoring 11 straight points to go up 26-13. The Nittany Lions led by nine at the half.