Pages six and seven of the 1993-94 Ohio State women's basketball media guide are dedicated to the Buckeyes' unforgettable '92-93 season. In words and pictures, the 28-4 record, Big Ten co-championship and run to the Final Four are commemorated. And to ensure that no one forgets just how great of a year it was, the pages are topped off with a proud headline: "OH -- What A Season!"

Things are a little different this time around. Instead of powering through the Big Ten and looking for a return to the NCAA championship game, the Buckeyes (12-10, 5-7 Big Ten) are fighting to keep their heads above water. And when they take to the Rec Hall floor at 7:30 p.m. today against the No. 2 Lady Lions (21-1, 12-1), their postseason dreams will hang in the balance.

"It's just been a difficult season," Ohio State Coach Nancy Darsch said. "It's been a season with close games where we could have won and built up momentum and didn't make it happen."

The first meeting between the two squads this season came one month ago, the day after the Lady Lions claimed the nation's top-ranking. The Buckeyes became the first victim of the new No. 1 team, falling 74-66 at St. John Arena in Columbus. Penn State overcame a two-point half time deficit to claim the win, holding Buckeye All-American sophomore forward Katie Smith to a mere nine points.

Despite the Lady Lions' earlier success against the Buckeyes, Coach Rene Portland is wary of the defending conference co-champs and particularly Smith, the Big Ten's second-leading scorer.

"They were a finalist last year, but they've been struggling at times," Portland said. "When you've got a player like Katie Smith, you let her go and tell the rest of them to follow her."

For the Buckeyes, who were an almost-unanimous preseason Top Ten pick, the matchup with Penn State could be the biggest game of the year. Currently eighth in the conference, Ohio State needs the victory to keep its NCAA dreams alive. Darsch is well aware that her squad will have its hands full.

"I think Penn State played very well down the stretch against us here," Darsch said. "We're going to have to play extremely well, force turnovers, execute on offense."