Kelly Mazzante has scored 34 percent of Penn State’s points this year – a decent contribution when you consider Michael Jordan, in his prime, chipped in 32 percent of the Chicago Bulls’ total.
Mazzante may never win any NBA Most Valuable Player awards, but the the 6-foot sophomore guard was at least honored as the 2001 National Freshman of the Year.
Her 25.1 points per game this season make her the nation’s top scorer. And earlier this month – after only 47 collegiate games – she became the fastest player in women’s Big Ten history to reach 1,000 career points.
Tonight at 7 p.m., fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena will get a chance to see Mazzante in person, although her dominance will come at the expense of the Wildcats (4-16, 0-9).
“I just see it as another conference game,” Mazzante said. “Since we have already played them, whatever they know about us, we know about them.”
Northwestern is all too familiar with the Lady Lions (13-8, 5-3) after they demolished the Cats 84-49 on Jan. 24 in State College, Pa.
In that matchup, Mazzante scored 24 points in 25 minutes. The star guard spent most of the second half watching from the bench as her teammates continued the onslaught. Mazzante saw limited action, but it was enough for NU coach June Olkowski to realize her abilities.
“She can do it all,” Olkowski said. “I don’t know if you can shut her down.”
Few teams have been able to slow the Pennsylvania native in her first two seasons. In 2001, she was a third-team All-America selection, and her 18.2 points per game made her the first freshman ever to lead the Big Ten in scoring.
This year Mazzante has continued to shatter conference records. The sophomore’s career-high 49-point outing against Minnesota on Dec. 28 set the conference record for points in a single game, as well as the Penn State single-game scoring record – for men or women.
She then scored her 1,000th career point to beat the previous record holder by five games.
“Scoring my 1,000th point was a pretty big accomplishment, but I just try to work harder each day, ” Mazzante said. “I continue to work for something bigger.”
Her effort has paid off this year. Mazzante has scored more than 30 points in seven games this season, and she has received Big Ten Player of the Week honors four times. She won the same award three times last season.
“I have enjoyed every second of (my first two seasons),” Mazzante said. “My first two years have been real enjoyable because of my teammates.”
Mazzante’s teammates remain the key in tonight’s game. Recently, opponents have double-teamed the nation’s leading scorer, creating open looks for other shooters.
The Lady Lions took advantage of the open shots in their 63-49 win over No. 9 Wisconsin on Sunday. Penn State used balancing scoring in the upset, with three players tallying double figures.
“Kelly (Mazzante) has done her part getting us to a certain level and our other kids really stepped up,” Penn State head coach Rene Portland said.
NU assistant coach Tricie Johnson said her team has to avoid giving up easy baskets in transition and cannot allow Mazzante open shots.
“We need to limit her touches, make each one of her looks a contested shot,” Johnson said. “She is a great scorer and is going to score.”
