Lady cagers keep streak alive with two weekend victories on road

By DAN GIGLER
Collegian Staff Writer

It's said that games like these separate champions from chumps.

On the road in front of 9,163 hostile observers, the No. 18 Penn State women's basketball team (18-5, 10-3 Big Ten) had their guts checked and mettle tested Friday night by Wisconsin, needing more time than regulation allowed to defeat the Badgers 73-71.

The Lady Lions dominated the most of the game and led Wisconsin (10-12, 5-7) by as many as 11 points half way through the second half. However, a late surge by the Badgers, including a buzzer-beating 3-point shot by LaTonya Sims, tied the score at 65 and bought the Badgers a second chance at victory in overtime.

The pendulum of momentum continued to swing in the direction of Wisconsin when the overtime period began, as the Badgers opened with a 6-0 run and padded their lead at 71-65. The Lions answered the bell, and came out swinging in the late rounds of overtime, landing an 8-0 run which ended Wisconsin's dreams of an upset.

After the game, Wisconsin coach Jane Albright-Dieterle told reporters that the loss was one of the hardest she'd ever been associated with, but couldn't play down the excitement of the game.

"It was a great, great game," Albright-Dieterle said. "If I didn't care who won or lost, it would be one of my favorites."

Surprised by a team that they beat by 30 points a week prior, Penn State coach Rene Portland was impressed by her team's dogged determination and realized that a win is a win, even if it is an ugly one.

"We're obviously pleased to get out of here with a win," Portland said.

Andrea Garner was the game's leading scorer with 21 points, which moved her nine points closer to reaching the 1000-point milestone.

She would topple that mark yesterday, as she helped lead the Lions in an old-fashioned whooping of Northwestern, 93-60.

Garner drained points No. 999 and 1 K on a jumper with 4:48 remaining in the second half. She would finish the night with 10 points. Lion guard Helen Darling also had an exciting evening as the only player dressed in blue to tally a double-double, with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The wins continue Penn State's run -- 9-1 in their last 10 games and undefeated in six consecutive contests -- and solidifies their hold on second place in the Big Ten.

The Lions will have a chance to play for the top conference spot when No. 2 Purdue comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. contest Friday at The Bryce Jordan Center.