Rec Hall first opened its doors to women's basketball in 1976 when the AIAW Tournament arrived. Penn State lost its first two games in that tournament, but in the years thereafter, its success has been phenomenal.

With eight wins at home this season, the No. 22 Lady Lions (14-3) will try to add to their impressive total at 7:30 tonight at Rec Hall against Massachusetts (3-14).

In the last 13 years, Penn State has rolled to a 129-20 record at Rec Hall, but only the 1987 team went undefeated at home (11-0). This year's squad is trying to be the second.

"I don't think there's a team in America that doesn't like playing at home," Coach Rene Portland said. "West Virginia certainly thinks the Coliseum brings them a little luck -- knowing the rim and knowing the court and having your fans there. Rutgers has always banked on their fieldhouse. Certainly, we like to bank on Rec Hall."

Last season, the squad only went 8-7 at home and many of the players said that was one of the biggest disappointments.

The home court advantage is more apparent for Penn State than other Atlantic 10 teams. The all-time attendance mark of 4,364 and current season average of 1,694 is much more than most opponents'.

This season, No. 23 Maryland only attracted 530 people for the Penn State game. Pittsburgh had only 250, St. Bonaventure 210 and Duquesne had a lowly 86 spectators witness its game with the Lady Lions.

When the Duchesses played here Monday night, senior guard Megan Cullen said the entire atmosphere of Rec Hall rattled and surprised her team.

"Rec Hall is definitely a fun place to play in," forward Susan Robinson said. "We have the Blue Band and we have the crowd. When you go to Duquesne and there's no noise, sometimes you don't appreciate a good place like at Rec Hall."

If the Lady Lions continue at their current home pace, they'll break the school record with 12 wins. Massachusetts, West Virginia, No. 22 St. Joseph's and Rutgers remain on the schedule. Also, the Atlantic 10 Tournament will be held in Rec Hall for the first time since 1984 on Mar. 9-10.

However, the team's eight-game home winning streak is a far cry from the consecutive home-game win record of 21 set from Feb. 18, 1984 to Jan. 18, 1986.

Even with the distinct home court advantage, Penn State still believes it must maintain the intensity for the game with UMass.

"We have to have the same conscious effort to be Penn State against Massachusetts," Portland said. "We can't afford to go on a rollercoaster against UMass. The important A-10 games are coming."

The way the team played in Monday's 115-67 win against Duquesne, that would seem unlikely. The team broke several Penn State and conference records, including most points ever in an A-10 game (115), most Penn State points in a half (68 -- in the first) and 3-point field goal accuracy (75 percent on 6-of-8 shooting, tying an A-10 record).

Senior center Helen Freeman leads the Minutewomen in both scoring and rebounding. She averages 13.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds a contest. She is complemented by Keyburn McKusker, who averages 11.4 ppg and 6.2 rpg.

"(We have) to come in real focused and work to execute on offense and play tough defense," Robinson said. "We have to come in and be in control and do the things we have to do."