The Lady Razorbacks (10-6, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) simply outplayed Penn State (9-4, 1-2 Big Ten) in the paint. Center Karyn Karlin converted on 7 of 15 field goal attempts, amassing a team-high 18 points. She also made her presence known on the defensive end, grabbing seven rebounds and collecting three steals.

Arkansas appeared to be a team on a mission. Call it a chance to prove its talent.

After reaching as high a rank as No. 14 early last month, the Razorbacks were dismissed from the polls after an embarrassing 70-50 defeat against Southwest Missouri on Dec. 8. That loss was Arkansas' third in a four-game losing streak, and caused the perennial national power to refocus.

Against the Lions, the Razorbacks were seeing clearly again.

"When the lights come on, we seem to play our best," Arkansas coach Gary Blair said in a press release. "It was pretty humble coming back and hearing that maybe we aren't as good as we're supposed to be. We had to hunt and peck on the offensive end and did a good job on the defensive end."

Penn State coach Rene Portland said her squad had not only a focused Arkansas team with which to contend, but also a travel schedule that greatly fatigued her players. The Lions were forced to travel to Minnesota, Purdue and Arkansas last week, and they managed to earn just one victory.

With its back against the wall in the second half Saturday, Penn State mustered its second wind. The Lions rebounded from the 15-point deficit to take a two-point lead with less than two minutes remaining. But Razorback guard Wendi Willits' 3-pointer from the top of the key gave her team a one-point lead it would never relinquish.

"Arkansas came out hungry," Portland said. "The game was a reversal from Purdue where we shot well with the three but lacked in the post position."

While Karlin was dominating in the post, the Lions did most of their dirty work in the backcourt.

Guard Shawnta Vanzant had her best game of the season, scoring 25 points. Guards Lisa Shepherd and Helen Darling chipped in with 19 and 16 points, respectively.

Still, the Lion guards couldn't stop the Razorbacks from showing the pollsters they still had what it took to compete with the best teams in the nation.

"You can't give up on this team," Karlin said. "Everyone stepped up for us today, and if we can find a rhythm then we will be able to build some confidence."