The Gophers blew the game wide open with defense while scoring 30 points on 24 turnovers.

Similar to last season, the Gophers were shorthanded against Penn State, most notably playing without standout guard Mara Braun. Michigan transfer Taylor Woodson also is out because of a season-ending knee injury.

Since replacing Braun in the lineup, McKinney’s scoring average had gone from 5.0 to 12.0 points per game in eight starts entering Saturday.

Nebraska transfer Stewart and McKinney outscored Penn State on their own 25-18 in the first half.

Plitzuweit rotated the 6-3 Stewart and 6-5 Sophie Hart at center against Penn State’s 6-6 leading scorer Gracie Merkle, who was held scoreless Saturday after averaging 20 points. Moriah Murray was held to just two points on 1-for-6 shooting; she was averaging 15 points entering the game.

The Nittany Lions (9-4, 0-2), who shot just 38% from the field, have lost four of their past five games, including 75-60 at Indiana on Dec. 7.