MILWAUKEE — In a town famous for its beer production, Sue Bird proved to be "Milwaukee's Best" on Saturday.

Bird, a member of the Connecticut women's basketball team, lit up the U.S. Cellular Arena while leading her team to a Sweet 16 victory over Penn State. The senior showed a national television audience that she is the best player in the nation by being the best player on the court that day, finishing with a game-high 24 points.

"I think not only is she the greatest point guard that we have in the game right now, she's a great player because of her poise and composure," Lady Lions' head coach Rene Portland said. "The team really looks to her. She just makes it happen."

At a pep rally before the game, Portland said she hoped to "clip off the wings" of Bird, the 2002 Naismith Player of the Year. But instead, the 5-foot-9 guard was the Huskies' offensive spark against the Lions and hit outside shots seemingly with ease.

Bird first made her presence known midway through the first half as Penn State led 17-14.

Bird hit a pull-up jumper to bring the Huskies within one, then stole the Lions' inbound pass and hit a three-pointer to take the lead.

"She has a tendency to make big shots," Huskies' head coach Geno Auriemma said. "When she's looking to get involved like that on the offensive end, that's pretty much when we're at our best."

Bird finished the first half with 13 points and four assists, but her team held a slim six-point lead at the break.

"We were unhappy with the way the first half went defensively," Bird said, "and collectively we just tried to change it."

Bird, one of four All-Americans on Connecticut's roster this season, was able to help the Huskies increase their advantage in the second half and run away with the victory. She finished the game 9-for-16 from the field and 4-for-7 from three-point range and also contributed four rebounds, six assists and two steals to go along with her 24 points.

"When things are going right, it's easy to play well," the Syosset, N.Y., native said.

"When things are going badly for you it's time to see what you're made of, and I think (on Saturday) we did a great job of responding."

Throughout her career at UConn, Bird has been a Lion-killer. In two previous victories over Penn State she averaged 16 points and five assists per game, with one win coming in the 1999-2000 Final Four. Bird's point total against the Lions on Saturday was well above her 13.7 season average, but Portland attributed it to her cool composure in a big-game setting.

Said: "Bird's been showing that since she was born."