Faced with the prospect of slipping to 1-4 in the Big Ten, the women's basketball team staged two conference victories this weekend at Rec Hall -- due in large part to the play of senior guard Carla Coleman.

Friday, Penn State (11-3, 3-2 Big Ten) beat a resurgent Northwestern (6-9, 2-3) squad, 81-72. Then yesterday, Coach Rene Portland's team pounded Michigan (7-8, 2-3), 92-44.

"People like Carla and (guard) Tina Nicholson refused to allow this program to lose one more game," said Portland following the Northwestern triumph.

In both games, Coleman sparked Penn State with her offensive penetration and tenacious defense. She scored a combined 30 points against the Wildcats and Wolverines, while tallying six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

But it was Coleman's on-court presence which was even more instrumental in Penn State's success.

"My role was to be a leader on the floor," Coleman said.

And she played that role to perfection.

"When Carla makes a big play or something, she really gets excited, and I think that gets everyone else going," freshman guard Tara Macciocco said. "She gets everyone pumped up."

After disappointing losses at Ohio State on Dec. 28 and Minnesota on Jan. 6, Coleman was distraught. She said she needed to step up her play and regain focus.

"It hurt a lot," Coleman said. "I took it personal."

So, the 5-foot-8-inch guard spent additional time in the gym last week by herself, working on her game and searching for answers.

"I even put my soaps on the back burner," Coleman said with smile. "I had to rededicate myself. I'm not really an outspoken person -- I believe in leaving it all on the floor."

Although the Lady Lions still have a rash of injuries to contend with this season, they are now above .500 in the Big Ten and back on the winning track.

"I don't care how sick or hurt we are," Portland said, "this program is not about to fold."

Not with players like Carla Coleman leading the way.