Senior leadership is always important for a team as it heads into the stretch run of the season. If the young Penn State women's basketball team is to climb back to the top spot in the Big Ten, it will do so on the shoulders of its' senior leader, forward Rashana Barnes.

Barnes contributed an exceptional effort in the Lady Lions' 63-49 upset win over the Big Ten's top team, No. 9 Wisconsin, yesterday at The Bryce Jordan Center. Barnes grabbed 13 rebounds and was the Lions' co-leading scorer with 16 points while playing the entire game.

"Rashana was a true warrior today," Lions' head coach Rene Portland said after the game. "She put (the team) on her back today and was very motivational, and refused to lose."

Barnes has suffered from aching knees all season and has been forced to follow each day of practice with a day off to rest. Portland joked that after playing for a full 40 minutes, the senior captain might ask for an entire week off. But with eight conference games remaining in the season, Barnes knows that the Lions cannot afford to relax and celebrate.

"I am excited about the way we're playing, but it's something we could have done a while ago," Barnes said. "I'm just looking to stay focused."

Barnes was certainly focused against the Badgers yesterday, as her 13 rebounds -- eight defensive and five offensive -- helped the Lions win the battle of the boards, 42-30. Badgers' head coach Jane Albright complimented Barnes' strong play and said it was key to the Lions' victory.

"They had great leadership from Rashana," Albright said. "We're not going to win games if we turn the ball over and don't rebound."

Barnes' second rebound of the game was particularly special, as it was the 600th of her career. It came early in the game in the defensive zone and was followed by a field goal at the other end. The Philadelphia native finished the day shooting 6-for-12 from the field and also earned her third double-double of the year, which leads Penn State. Barnes spent much of the day defensively matched against Wisconsin's leading scorer and the Big Ten's preseason Player of the Year, senior Jessie Stomski.

Stomski finished with 20 points, but only four of those came in the first half.

"I was just trying to take them out of the game early," Barnes said of her defensive effort against the Badgers.

"We play our best game in the second half, so if we get them off their game in the first it'll be easier for us in the second half."

Barnes also said playing against the 6-3 Stomski was no easy task.

"She's pretty big," Barnes joked. "I had to work pretty hard."