Ranked No. 2 in the nation and atop the conference standings, her Lady Lions (22-1, 13-1 Big Ten) are vulnerable to even the least likely opponent. So you would think she'd be happy, that a decisive 96-74 victory over defending Big Ten co-champion Ohio State (12-11, 5-8) at Rec Hall would at least please her.

But Penn State Coach Rene Portland was disturbed on this Friday evening.

Five players scored in double figures, including junior guard Katina Mack, who scored a season-high 24 points. Her backcourt committed only seven turnovers, and her bench outscored Ohio State's, 29-12.

But she was disappointed. Very disappointed.

"It was gutless. We asked our kids to take a charge and they just didn't," Coach Rene Portland said. "There was certainly ample opportunity for our kids to jump out there and make a statement about how they believe in our defense.

"Granted, we scored 96 points and we should be thrilled that the pace of the game was the way it was, but we stopped the game way too much in the second half by putting them on the foul line."

Penn State's game fell apart in the second half. But the Lady Lions used a 46-29 cushion at the half to their advantage. The Buckeyes outrebounded Penn State, 45-35, had 24 offensive rebounds and made 18 of 21 free throws in the second half.

The turning point came with six minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the first half, when senior forward Jackie Donovan nailed a three-pointer from the right wing and was fouled by Buckeye Lisa Negri. Donovan's free throw completed a four-point play that capped a 12-0 run and the Lady Lions led, 28-20.

"That seemed to be a big play," Ohio State Coach Nancy Darsch said. "It really put us in a big hole."

Said Portland: "That just took the air right out of their balloon."

Buckeye forward Katie Smith seemed to be the only player with any helium left, pumping in 25 second-half points for a game-high 29. Did she feel obliged to take control for her uninspired teammates?

"Not necesarily take control, but contribute and take what they gave you," Smith said. "Take it to the hole, be aggressive. They gave us a lot. It's basically what the defense gave you and you take it."

Portland won't be happy about it, but she'll take what the Lady Lions gave her, too.

Note:

-- Mack, the Lady Lions' leading scorer at 13.7 points per game, suffered a severe sprained ankle with 4:37 remaining in the game.

Mack, who left the game and did not return, was on crutches afterward. She is listed day-to-day.