As Penn State and Coppin State lined up for the opening tipoff, 6-foot-6 Gracie Merkle towered over everyone else on the court.
The Eagles’ tallest athlete in the starting five was just 6-foot as Merkle won the tipoff effortlessly.
On the first drive down the court, Viktoria Ranisavljevic found the mismatch in the paint, dishing the ball to Merkle for the Lady Lions’ first score.
With Coppin State’s smaller lineup, Penn State’s guards were able to match up better. Ranisavljevic showcased that with a steal on the next possession as she took it down the court.