Duquesne's women's basketball team has a slogan, "It's not the size of the dog in a fight, it's the fight in the dog." But with last night's 115-67 loss to Penn State, the dog is extremely beaten and bruised.

This season has definitely been one of challenge and frustration for the Duchesses. A seven-player roster and a woeful 1-15 record have left first-year coach Renee DeVarney just trying to cope.

"It hurts your pride and your ego," she said. "You start to take pride in the little things you do well. It would also help if Penn State loaned us a Susan Robinson, Tanya Garner or Dana Eikenberg."

Not to say the team would challenge for the Atlantic 10 championship, but in recent weeks, Duquesne has lost its leading scorer, Katie Collins (13.6 points per game) and rebounder, Carina Hoffman (10.3 rebounds per game). Plus, two freshman have been declared academically ineligible. DeVarney said that makes four of her five starters not playing.

"It's super frustrating only having five healthy girls," guard Megan Cullen said. "Especially when it seems Penn State has a 100."

Cullen also said that in most games each player has to take the knocks and continue playing despite foul trouble or a poor playing streak because no substitutes are available.

DeVarney also mentioned that her team must play a 2-3 zone at all times, because frankly, that's the only way it will last the entire 40 minutes.

Last season, the Duchesses finished 11-18, but still managed to salvage a few games. For DeVarney, her first year at the helm is quite a letdown from her previous assistant coaching job at perennial power Iowa.

"It's frustrating, but I love being a head coach. Right now, we need to work on individual skills and getting use to playing with each other," DeVarney said.

With only three seniors on the full-health squad, the disappointments could turn around in the future. Against Penn State, DeVarney said the team can learn just from playing a Top 25 team. On the other hand, the thought of facing a team with its sole win against Virginia Commonwealth doesn't bring fear in the heart of an opponent.

"It would be real easy for Penn State to take the game lightly," Lady Lions' Coach Rene Portland said.

Another problem the team had to overcome playing at Penn State is the abundance of fans. At home in the A.J. Palumbo Center, the average attendance is a slight 113. Last night Penn State had a raucous 1,027.

"We got a little rattled," Cullen said. "The fans were great, but not for us. (We're) not used to playing in front of that many people."

The loss to Penn State was Duquesne's worst defensive performance of the season. It was the most points given up on defense in a half (68; previous high or low in this case was 48 against Penn State on Jan. 4) and in a game (103 at St. Joseph's). On the season, the team is giving up 77 points a game, while averaging only 58.

"It's been difficult," Cullen said. "But I've enjoyed it. We're at a low point, but we'll get better. The freshmen (two in the starting lineup) are getting their playing time."

With an 0-9 conference record, and West Virginia and Rutgers still to come, the season will probably continue to be ugly. Yet the Duchesses are still hoping.

"Nobody is ready for us so we'll surprise somebody," Cullen said.

DeVarney agreed to an extent, "If we play very well we can pull out a few games. Still, I do believe in miracles."