Lady cagers stifle Indiana

As the Lady Lion basketball team readied itself to open the Big Ten season two weeks ago it was invaded by a formidable opponent -- the flu bug.

Throughout the first four games Penn State was slowed by the virus, but as indicated by yesterday's 75-62 stomping of Indiana at The Bryce Jordan Center, the Lions are healthy again and ready to make a run at a Big Ten title.

Penn State (10-4, 4-1 Big Ten) got off to a fast start behind a combination of tenacious defense and sloppy Indiana play. The Hoosiers (11-6, 3-2) turned the ball over on 10 of their first 12 possessions and, as a result, found themselves facing a 24-5 deficit 10 minutes into the game.

"The game was decided in the first five minutes when we kept turning the ball over," Indiana coach Jim Izard said. "It's hard to fight back on the road against a team like (Penn State)."

Despite 21 first-half turnovers, the Hoosiers clawed back into the game on the strength of a 17-2 run. The inside-outside combination of center Quacy Barnes and guard Dani Thrush helped Indiana trim the lead to seven at halftime. Penn State aided the Hoosier comeback by going scoreless for over five minutes after its explosive start.

"We were stuck on (24 points) for a long time," Penn State coach Rene Portland said. "Kids weren't stepping to the ball. We were trying to force the ball inside and we had a lot of turnovers during that span."

Post players Andrea Garner and Maren Walseth stifled any hopes Indiana had of completing its comeback in the second half. The Lions' inside duo gave the Hoosiers fits, teaming up for 39 points, 16 rebounds and five steals. Garner, one of the Lions hit by the flu, earned her fifth double-double of the year, while Walseth's 17 points were a career high.

Walseth was nearly unstoppable at times in the second half. The freshman scored 13 points, including eight straight at one point, igniting a 21-7 run that gave Penn State a 58-40 lead with just over nine minutes remaining.

"I was put into the game more to help on defense. I have more confidence in my defense than I do in my offense right now," Walseth said. "But today helped my offensive confidence. When the ball was in my hand I was a bit more relaxed today."

Another bright spot for the Lions was the play of their defense. Guards Helen Darling, Jamie Parsons and Christine Portland made life miserable for Indiana's playmakers and helped force 30 Hoosier turnovers. Penn State's smothering pressure also held Indiana eight points below its season average of 73.

"The defense was the biggest part of the game. I was pleased with the effort," Portland said. "The pressure defense is working well and making some things happen."

The Lions will need all the defensive help they can get for their next game when they travel to Huff Hall to battle Big Ten leader No. 11 Illinois Friday night.