An NCAA tournament berth is still a possibility for the Penn State men's lacrosse team.

The No. 18 Nittany Lions (5-5, 2-2 ECAC) beat a tough Bucknell team (7-4) last night, 10-7, to bring its record back to .500.

Sophomore attackman Derek Howells led the charge for Penn State, netting a hat trick, while senior Luke Oglesby led the Lions with four assists.

Marshall Feldman and Nate Whitaker each recorded two goals and an assist on a windy night in Lewisburg.

After starting the season a dismal 1-5, it appears the Lions have turned the corner, winning three straight and working toward their first NCAA tournament appearance in school history.

A night game under lights is a unique situation for this Lion team, which hasn't had a night game all season.

"It's not something we usually do," Oglesby said. "Under the lights, with a big crowd, it gets you pumped up. It's a great atmosphere."

Early in the game, the Lions weren't working together, but still found themselves up, 2-1.

"We didn't look like ourselves at the beginning," Howells said. "[Penn State men's lacrosse] coach [Glenn Thiel] called a timeout, and we got it together."

From there, the Lions went on a run, and eventually cruised to the 10-7 victory.

Penn State's problems early in the game were the same problems they were having earlier in the season. Oglesby said it's simply a matter of teamwork.

"The key with our offense is moving the ball," he said. "The only time we run into problems is when we're selfish. When we're patient and move the ball, that's when we're successful."

As far as the NCAA tournament goes, Penn State found itself on the outside looking in as recently as two weeks ago. With the 1-5 start, the preseason No. 16 Lions were not ranked in either of the two national Div. I polls.

With their recent run, the Lions moved back to No. 18 in the STX/United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association top 20, and No. 17 in the Inside Lacrosse media poll.

Of course, only 16 teams will make the tournament, and the Lions will have to keep winning if they're to make it for the first time in school history.

Still, Thiel isn't looking too far ahead.

"We have to win out probably, but that's a long ways off," he said. "We haven't played good enough to beat Virginia yet."

He's referring to the No. 4 Cavaliers, who the Lions will face in two weeks.

Last season, Penn State upset the Cavaliers at home, yet still didn't make the tournament. The way Penn State has been playing lately, an NCAA berth this year is not out of the question.