There is a preseason collegiate basketball tournament in November?

Better believe it, because Penn State is quickly dominating its way straight across the brackets of the Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament.

The Lady Lions marched through the opening two rounds of the WNIT with a 86-62 victory over Bucknell on Friday and a 90-61 dismantling of Siena yesterday at the Bryce Jordan Center. On Friday, the Lions hosted intrastate foe Bucknell in the opening round of the WNIT. With thin numbers already on the bench, Penn State was without the services of guard Melanie Croser, who did not dress pending current NCAA litigation. Despite the loss of Croser, the Lions debuted their new shell offense and posted four players -- Kelly Mazzante, Tanisha Wright, Ashli Schwab and Jess Brungo -- in double figures.

"Win and advance, that's what we did," Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland said. "We're scoring enough points, but we're giving ourselves fits on defense."

Portland was content with the offensive production of the team but expressed concern for the team's defensive letdowns. In the first five minutes of the second half, Bucknell went on a 16-6 scoring run, cutting greatly into the Lions' 14-point first half lead. Bucknell did not seem greatly affected by Penn State's continual pressure with the full-court press, although the Bison seemed worn down by the end of the game.

"When we need to press, we can press," Portland said. "I'm not super happy with the defense."

Ultimately, the Bison were unable to contain Mazzante, who knocked down 25 points on the night. She was double-teamed in the opening minutes of the game, but was left open on multiple occasions to shoot.

Yesterday, in the quarterfinal round, Penn State faced Siena, who advanced by beating Syracuse two nights before. The Lions were able to hold the Saints' prolific scorer and Kodak All-American Gunta Basko to a dismal three points on the day.

"I thought this was one of her [Basko's] worst games," Siena women's basketball coach Gina Castelli said. "We needed her to score."

Penn State continued its well-rounded scoring performance, this time with five players finishing in double figures.

"Our offense has been able to continue to way we want our offense to work," Portland said. "In the second half we came out played like a good Big Ten team."

Leading the Lions in points against Siena was Kelly Mazzante with 33. She now stands in 10th place for career scoring at Penn State.

"I just think it's too hard to stop one or two of us," Mazzante said.

Penn State moves onto the semifinal round this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Jordan Center against the winner of Tulsa vs. Mississippi State.