STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — Kiyomi McMiller scored 32 points and Gracie Merkle added a double-double to lead the Penn State Lady Lions to an 81-71 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats in a women’s basketball game Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State never trailed after establishing an early 22-13 lead through one quarter. Northwestern cut the deficit to three points in the third quarter, but the Lady Lions responded with a decisive run. McMiller, who also had 12 rebounds and four assists, and Merkle, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, anchored the win. Moriah Murray contributed 14 points for Penn State.

Northwestern’s third-quarter surge, led by Kat Righeimer and Grace Sullivan, proved insufficient. The Wildcats were outscored 40-22 in the paint. Penn State improved to 9-17 overall, while Northwestern fell to 8-17. An announced crowd of 3,074 attended the Big Ten Conference contest.