Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland is staring a milestone in the face as she is just one win away from becoming the seventh coach in NCAA Div. I women's basketball history to reach 600 wins.

Her team, the No. 11 Lady Lions (4-1), is more than a week removed from its first loss of the season, an 88-66 thrashing at the hands of No. 7 Kansas State. Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center the Lions try to bounce back against Maryland.

The Lions have won six of the past seven against the Terrapins (3-1), but just held on last year in a 67-65 victory in College Park.

Against the Wildcats the Lions' lack of rebounding was exposed, as they were dominated on the boards, 44-31.

Freshmen Charmaine Carr and Angel Ross, both standing over six feet tall, are averaging seven rebounds a game. Portland knows that rebounding is a priority.

"Rebounding would be our No. 1 [focus]," she said. "We haven't taken a charge all season. Our defense is not the greatest. With as many guards as we play, we should be more aggressive and get more steals."

Defensively, the Lions will be looking to stop junior Vicki Brick and senior Renneika Razor who are both averaging in double digits.

Once again with just a three person bench the Lions will have to be cautious. The status of junior transfer Melanie Croser is still up in the air.

A healthier Jess Strom should benefit the Lions cause. The splint has been removed from her hand, which was hindered by a broken finger, and Portland thinks she just needs to get into the gym and work on her shot.

Junior Kelly Mazzante, who is currently averaging over 27 points a game, will need to get back on track for the Lions after a dismal shooting performance against Kansas State. She was just 6-for-19 from the field.

"She mentally allowed them to take her out of her game," Portland said. "That game was real interesting for her to watch afterwards. There were too many shades of the past."

Last season's Big Ten and AP coach of the year, Maryland women's basketball coach Brenda Frese, will be making her first trip to the Bryce Jordan Center. She turned around the Minnesota basketball program last season and in their lone matchup of the season hosted and lost to the Lions 88-83.