Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998

Lady cagers' postseason hopes resting on tourney

By DON STEWART
Collegian Sports Writer

Lately, the basket has been cruel to the women's basketball team.

During the course of their four-game losing streak, the Lady Lions (13-11, 7-7 Big Ten) have shot just 38 percent from the field. At the same time, their opponents have hit 52 percent of their shots.

As a result of its recent skid, Penn State has been knocked out of the conference title chase and now rests its postseason hopes on winning the Big Ten Tournament.

If Sunday's first-half performance against Iowa is any indication, however, Penn State won't make much noise in Indianapolis. The Lions missed 11 of their first 12 shots in shooting just 26 percent in the half.

Andrea Gammer goes up over a Michigan defender during a Penn State loss. (Collegian Photo/Christa Rimonneau - click for full size image)

To make matters worse, those statistics wouldn't have been as good as they were if Penn State hadn't picked up its scoring pace late in the half. After scoring just seven points in the first 13 and a half minutes of play, the Lions came up with 12 points before the end of the half.

Poor shooting has been an issue for the Lions all season. They rank 10th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage, having outshot their opponents just five times this season. Their field goal percentage broke the 50 percent barrier just once -- Nov. 23 against Temple -- while it dipped under 40 percent nine times.

Three-pointers and foul shots haven't exactly bailed Penn State out either. The Lions are eighth in the Big Ten with a 31 percent average from downtown, and ninth in the conference from the free throw line.

Back in the saddle

Penn State coach Rene Portland readjusted her lineup before the Iowa game.

Sophomore center Andrea Garner was benched for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. In her place, Portland started freshman Maren Walseth, who finished with four points and two rebounds in 24 minutes.

Garner will be back in her starting role this weekend. It was only the second time in her career she missed a start. Despite not starting, she still played 24 minutes off the bench and led the team with 11 points.

Also inserted into the starting lineup was senior Em Clements. Before the Northwestern game on Jan. 30, Portland put junior Clara Carter into the lineup in Clements' place. After three games, she started Clements last Friday against Michigan for senior night.

Before the Iowa game, Portland decided to keep Clements in the lineup for good.

Spark it up

With her team down late in the first half against Michigan, Portland put two players who haven't seen much time, Stacey Brewer and Chrissy Falcone, on the floor.

They gave the team a rise.

Noticeably excited to be in the game, Brewer and Falcone had a noticeable effect on their teammates. Playing with increased intensity, the Lions rallied from a 10-point deficit to bring the game within four at the half.

Portland remained cautious about how frequently to use Brewer and Falcone. She said the two have to cut down on mistakes.

"I think we have to be very smart about them," Portland said. "I will continue to work with them and be optimistic."