The last few games have been a transformation of sorts for the Penn State women's basketball team. Weaknesses that had kept the team from winning earlier this season became major strengths during those games.

The transformation paid off Sunday night when the Lions upset then-No. 9 Wisconsin 63-49 in The Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State's ability to get rebounds and shoot the three-point shot keyed the victory.

Before last week, rebounding was a major concern for the Lions. They were near the bottom of the Big Ten in rebounding and it was costing them some close games. Thursday night the Lions had 19 more rebounds than Northwestern en route to a 84-49 victory. Sunday night Penn State turned the tables on the Badgers, outrebounding them 42-30.

"This is two games in a row where we can get ourselves out of the basement of the Big Ten rebounding-wise," Penn State coach Rene Portland said. "That is a real step in the right direction for us."

Wisconsin coach Jane Albright said that rebounding and turnover differential proved to be the difference in Sunday's game.

"We're not going to win games if we turn the ball over and if we don't rebound," Albright said. "If we turn the ball over and we don't rebound you really don't have a chance to win. You can point your finger very positively at Penn State, they have got some young and hungry talent."

That young and hungry talent contributed to Penn State's second key to Sunday's game -- three-point shooting.

The three-pointer has been a thorn in Penn State's side during many of its losses. Not only were the Lions missing shots, but their opponents were able to convert many of theirs. However, Sunday night the three-point shot enabled the Lions to bury the Badgers for good.

Freshman point guard Jess Strom is known for her play making, but it was her outside shot that put the Badgers away. Strom was 3-for-6 from behind the arc and she finished the game with 13 points. Both of her threes came in the second half when Wisconsin was trying to claw back.

"I think they were leaving me open in the first half too, I just didn't hit my shots," Strom said. "(Assistant coach) Annie (Troyan) said to me, 'You missed your first three, you are due to hit your next three.' I just didn't stop shooting. I think they were the same shots, I just hit them in the second half."

Those shots and the great rebounding proved to be the difference down the stretch. They have also keyed two straight wins for the Lions.

The win against Wisconsin helped shake things up in the Big Ten. With three losses in a row Wisconsin has dropped into second place in the conference, one loss behind Purdue.

Penn State also increased its chance of winning the conference crown. The Lions are now tied for fifth place in a conference where the top six teams all have a legitimate shot to be No. 1.

If the Lions can continue to make weaknesses strengths they have a chance to be the ones looking down at the other teams in the Big Ten when the season ends.