In perhaps its biggest home game of the year, the women's basketball team suffered a disappointing 66-57 loss to No. 2 Vanderbilt.

But Penn State Coach Rene Portland says it's time to put that loss behind them as her Lady Lions return to Big Ten play this weekend at surprising Michigan State.

"We wanted to win the game (against Vanderbilt)," Portland said. "But we are not out of the Big Ten Conference yet, so we have to turn the switch back to the Big Ten."

Portland is convinced that Tuesday's loss won't have a lasting effect on the Lady Lions.

She believes that Penn State will be eager to get back on the court against a Michigan State team that has played better than expected this season.

"That (switch back to the Big Ten) has to happen real quick," Portland said. "And if it doesn't, I'll be real disappointed with the kids. But I'm convinced that they understand the main focus is the Big Ten."

One player who is eager to take the court against Michigan State is sophomore guard Katina Mack.

Mack was not pleased with the Lady Lions' performance against Vanderbilt and believes that Sunday's game at Michigan State will give Penn State a chance to get back on the right track.

"I'm upset over the fact that we lost (to Vanderbilt)," Mack said. "We beat ourselves, and I just can't get that through my head."

Michigan State, picked 10th in the Big Ten in the preseason, has gotten off to a better-than-expected start. At 4-6 in the conference, the Spartans are currently in sixth place.

But Mack, the Big Ten's 10th leading scorer, is sure that Penn State will put things together against Michigan State, adding that the Lady Lions will be just as pumped up for the Spartans as they would be for any other team.

"I'm looking at Michigan State, and we'll treat them just like we treated everybody else," said a confident Mack. "We'll go out there and play hard and we'll come out with a win."

Last season, the Spartans traveled to Rec Hall and were handed a decisive 82-55 defeat by the Lady Lions, something that Mack and the rest of the Lady Lions hope to repeat at Michigan State.