Lady Lions seek revenge for loss

By DAMIAN DOBROSIELSKI
Collegian Sports Writer

After capturing the Showboat Shootout in Las Vegas, the women's basketball team entered St. John Arena on Dec. 28 looking to continue its three-game winning streak.

But Ohio State ended the Lady Lions' streak, pounding its Big Ten rival 78-63.

"That was probably our worst game of the season," Lady Lion Coach Rene Portland said. "We weren't a Division I team that day. Ohio State made us play awful."

At 1 p.m. on Sunday in Rec Hall, No. 8 Penn State (20-4, 11-3 Big Ten) will get another chance at the Buckeyes (14-10, 7-7) when the two Big Ten powers square off. But before the Lady Lions get a chance to avenge their loss, they must battle Michigan State (14-9, 8-6) at 7:30 p.m. today in East Lansing, Mich.

Although her team has been playing well of late, Portland is aware of the problems the Buckeyes can present to her squad.

"They have a great inside-outside combination," she said.

Ohio State's outside force is 5-foot-11 guard Katie Smith. The junior from Logan, Ohio, is the team's leading scorer, averaging 22.3 points per game. She also leads Coach Nancy Darsch's squad with 92 assists this season.

While Smith presents all kinds of problems for Penn State on the outside, 6-foot senior Peggy Evans is the Buckeyes' primary inside presence. The transfer from Tennessee is averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

"After what happened the last time we played Ohio State, I don't know how anyone couldn't be ready to play them," Penn State guard Tiffany Longworth said. "Like Coach says, they held us underwater. We're going to be ready this time."

The Lady Lions will also need to be ready for Michigan State, as the Spartans have resurfaced in the Big Ten standings.

After beginning its Big Ten schedule with a subpar 2-6 record, Coach Karen Langeland's team has rattled off wins in its last six games.

As a result of their recent success, the Spartans have risen to fourth in the conference standings and are sitting on the proverbial bubble to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament.

"Fortunately, we're playing our best basketball right now," Langeland said. "Our defensive intensity has improved, and we've done a much better job rebounding."

Langeland has also inserted 6-foot-1 guard Bella Engen and 5-foot-10 guard Cheri Euler into the starting lineup. According to Langeland, the move has paid dividends for the Spartans, especially on defense.