The Penn State women's basketball team was missing its superstar for Monday night's 84-53 exhibition win over the Perick Jumpers, but it received a much-needed boost in the form of Rashana Barnes.

With sophomore guard Kelly Mazzante absent from the Lady Lions' lineup with concussion symptoms, several players had to pick up the scoring slack, and Barnes certainly did her part.

The senior center was the team's second-leading scorer, with 17 points on 8-12 shooting from the floor. But beyond the scoring, Barnes contributed by simply being on the floor with a young group of players.

"I think (on Monday) the kids felt very comfortable with the fact that they lost Kelly, and then they turn around and get Rashana back," Lions' head coach Rene Portland said.

Barnes has been bothered by chronic knee problems and has been able to practice and play only on a day-on, day-off basis. But Monday was Barnes' day to play, and she made her presence known.

"She brings leadership to us," Portland said. "I think this is a year of a lot of maturity on her part."

Barnes' leadership may be the key for this young Lions squad as the early season unfolds.

The Lions will be without senior guard Katrena Carr for about four more weeks because of an ankle injury, and the only other senior on the roster, forward Katie Schumacher, will not join the team until the end of her season with the Penn State women's volleyball team. Beyond them, the sophomore Mazzante is the team's most experienced player.

Barnes, wearing blue braces on both knees Monday, had a noticeable limp while running down the court at several points during the game, but was especially strong inside the paint. Barnes hit a number of shots over the heads of Perick defenders during her 18 minutes of playing time.

After exiting the game with 8:32 remaining, Barnes collapsed to the floor on the sideline to have her aching knees attended to by the team trainers.

"Rashana has to stay on top of what she's dealing with with her knees." Portland said. "She has to continue to stretch, she needs to work with the doctors, but Rashana's a fighter. It's not a new thing with her knees but I guess it's just a thing that's getting on her nerves right now."

Barnes hopes to keep her composure this season for as long as her aching knees will hold out.

"I guess its gonna take me fighting through the little things, knowing what I can play through and when I really have to take a rest," Barnes said.