Three days ago, Katina Mack was given a cortisone injection. Her feet have hurt -- for a long time. But the junior guard for the No. 3 women's basketball team is used to smiling through the pain.

"It's tough playing," Mack said. "Maybe playing defense is the hardest."

Mack has plantar fascitis. It is an ailment which affects the achille's tendon and causes swelling in her feet. She said the recent injection she received should last her a few months.

Last year, Mack averaged more than 31 minutes a game. This season, she is averaging less than 27. Doctors have told Mack that her feet will continue to hurt for as long as she plays basketball.

"Right now, it's an emotional thing," she said. "It's something I have to deal with . . . but everyone has to play through the pain."

But Mack's feet haven't been her only health concern -- over two weeks ago, a groin injury took center court. Coach Rene Portland was unsure what Mack would be able to produce at the time.

"She was able to suck it up and get through for us. (The groin pull) is not an issue right now," Portland said. "She will . . . probably have to take all (this) week off to get ready for the week after that."

Even Portland was impressed with the way Mack performed with her groin injury. The Lady Lions' leading scorer compiled 22 points in pain during Penn State's 80-63 victory over Northwestern. Last Friday, Mack shot a perfect game against Indiana.

"The feet are going to be a constant problem. We're just very fortunate that at Northwestern, she gutted it out for us -- she overextended herself," Portland said. "The bottom line is, if you're going to use her, use her quick, because she tightens up."

While Portland was able to use Mack last weekend, she said she was looking at possibly not using her this weekend. The Lady Lions are off until Sunday, when they travel to Ann Arbor for a showdown with unranked Michigan.

Mack insists she is doing fine and is confident her health will be up enough to perform in the upcoming games. And she will be a necessity for the Lady Lions as they enter the crucial second half of their season.

With unranked Rutgers upsetting No. 1 Tennessee last Sunday, the Lady Lions and Iowa will most likely share the top two spots in next week's poll. They are the only two undefeated teams left in the top 25.

"We can't afford to lose," Mack said. "We have to take it one game at a time."