They say that fans at Penn State athletic events have blue and white coarsing through their veins. But at last night's men's basketball game, thoughts were of red, white and blue.

As the situation in the Persian Gulf escalates and the fate of so many rest precariously on a thin line, athletic events, like most activities, are placed a rung lower on the list of priorities.

The events overseas took center stage in the minds of many spectators last night. Conversations about the Middle East were as plentiful as discussions of starting lineups.

Some fans questioned late-arriving individuals about the latest developments in the gulf crisis. Three fans walked up to press row to question reporters about the situation.

The public address announcer asked the fans to remember the soldiers in the gulf as the national anthem began. Fans seemed to utter the words more fervently, following the singing with an enthusiastic applause. And while their concern was evident, many agreed the game should go on.

"We should go on living our lives but still supporting the people over there and our president," said Martha Ross, an usher at Rec Hall.

More than 6,000 fans attended the 83-65 Penn State triumph. For many, the game provided a relief from the tense atmosphere around television sets.

"It's a good idea to hold the game because it sort of gets my mind off the situation," said Stephanie Lipkin (junior-sociology). "In a lot of my classes, all we do is talk about the war and it's nice to think about something else for right now."

Penn State, like most universities, has continued business as usual during this crisis although administrators recognize they must be sensitive. After discussions earlier yesterday, the athletic and university administration decided to hold the game as scheduled, Athletic Director Jim Tarman said.

"Since no other university activities did close down, we felt why make a special thing for athletics," Tarman said.

Officials may reassess the decision for future events if the situation changes, Tarman added.

When Operation Desert Storm began Wednesday, colleges across the nation continued with scheduled athletic activities. North Carolina, the only Division I program to postpone its activities, halted a contest with North Carolina State shortly after the first bombs fell.

The Atlantic 10 conference announced yesterday that it would continue its athletic competition. In a press release, A-10 commissioner Ron Bertovich stated: "We all know sports' rightful place in society and be assured that our thoughts reach the Middle East . . . We pray for their safe and quick return.

"I trust that each of our institutions will also express in its own way its support for our troops in the Middle East," he added.

The basketball team has been doing its part to stay focused during the situation. The crisis has not significantly affected anyone on the team.

"We all talk about it together. When you come out to play, you just have to put everything out of your mind and do the job at hand," forward John Dietz said.

Penn State coach Bruce Parkhill summed up his feelings at Tuesday's pre-game press conference.

"Sometimes your priorities change. Sometimes it helps put things in persepctive," he said. "I worry so much about winning basketball games and really, when you think about it it's not that important in the big picture."

Parkhill said he would consider having his players wear patches or some other show of support, but would leave the decision up to his players. The team did not display such items last night.