Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998

D is the key

Lady Lions use defense to overcome offensive weakness

By CHRIS MASSE
Collegian Sports Writer

At times during Sunday's game against Penn State, the Indiana women's basketball team might have thought the Lady Lions were playing with six players on the court.

Penn State's swarming defense gave the Hoosiers fits all afternoon and forced 30 turnovers in the impressive 75-62 win. Indiana brought one of the best offenses in the Big Ten to The Bryce Jordan Center, but against the Lions (10-4, 4-1 Big Ten) it was reduced to shambles. Penn State's constant full-court pressure held the Hoosiers 13 points below their season average of 75.

"Our defense was the key to us getting the win," center Andrea Garner said. "Our defense stole the ball a lot and we were able to run with it. Our running was what gave us the early lead."

Lady Lion guard Jamie Parsons glides to the basket past Michigan State's Kristin Rasmussen on Dec. 30 at The Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State has jumped out to a 4-1 Big Ten start behind inspired defensive play. (Collegian Photo / Andrea Elizabeth Kohler - click for full-size image)

Lion guards Jamie Parsons, Helen Darling and Christine Portland led the defensive assault, teaming up for seven steals. The trio made it an adventure for Indiana every time it brought the ball up the court. All three played a critical role in helping open up a 24-5 lead after forcing 10 Hoosier turnovers on their first 12 possessions.

"We're doing a nice job with our press and I think that's going to give a lot of people trouble," Penn State coach Rene Portland said. "There were times when Jamie put such great pressure on (Indiana point guard) Kristi Green that there were 18 seconds left on the shot clock and the kid was just setting up their plays."

Post players Andrea Garner, Maren Walseth and Em Clements made sure Indiana's inside players felt the same pressure as its guards did. All-Big Ten center Quacy Barnes was held in check scoring 16 points, two below her season average. More importantly for Penn State, the Big Ten Player of the Year candidate came unraveled at times because of the Lions' tenacious defense and turned the ball over eight times.

Sunday marked the second straight game in which the Lions were able to slow down a premier center. Last week against Michigan, Penn State's stifling defense against All-American hopeful Pollyanna Johns was a key element in its 85-84 overtime win at Ann Arbor. In addition to being held below her season scoring average, Johns was also harassed into committing three costly turnovers.

"Against Michigan, Maren Walseth did a great job coming off the bench defensively," Portland said. "Our players are taking great pride in their defense and that is making this an easy team to coach."

Tough defense has been the main ingredient in the Lions' surprising 4-1 Big Ten start. Along the way, the Lions have put the clamps on Wisconsin scoring threat Ann Klapperich, Michigan State leading scorer Kristen Rasmussen and Michigan sharp shooter Stacey Thomas.

On a team without a top scoring threat, the Lion defense has been invaluable. A solid defensive outing has been the one thing Penn State has been able to bank on, and it has put the Lions in position to move into a first-place tie with Big Ten leader Illinois Friday night.

"If you can't be an offensive threat," Walseth said, "you might as well work your butt off on defense."