Nine points away.

That's how far Penn State All-American senior Kelly Mazzante stands from becoming the most prolific scorer in Big Ten women's basketball history after her team-leading, 19-point performance in a 68-56 win over the Michigan Wolverines (9-8, 2-2 Big Ten)
last night in Ann Arbor.

Mazzante will have to wait to break the record, which stands at 2,578 and was set in 1996 by Ohio State's Katie Smith. On Sunday the No. 8 Lady Lions host the Fighting Illini at 2 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Despite a mediocre shooting display from Mazzante (7-17), her teammates filled in nicely, never letting the Wolverines get within nine after halftime.

Penn State head coach Rene Portland was happier after the game with her team's play in the post, and she doesn't think that Mazzante's nerves will get the best of her in front of the home crowd.

"If Kelly is not used to breaking records, we're in trouble," Portland said. "Hopefully, she does get it at home. Our fans deserve that. Her family deserves that."

The Lady Lions (12-3, 5-0) started slowly but never looked back after Mazzante's jumper gave them a 12-11 lead eight minutes into the first half. Penn State held the lead throughout the rest of the game, extending it to 16 at one point.

The biggest surprise for Penn State

didn't come in the shape of the 6-foot Mazzante, but instead it came from freshman forward Amanda Brown, who made all of her eight minutes count, finishing with 11 points on five for five shooting.

"I think [the post players] did a better job," Portland said. "I think there was a better awareness."

Portland, who has been all over her inside players in the past few weeks, said that she had a little meeting with them before the game, trying to get them to buy into the system that she is trying to implant.

Tanisha Wright played her normal role, slashing to the hoop and hitting the open mid-range jump shot, finishing with 16 points and three steals.

Mazzante, Jess Brungo and Ashli Schwab did most of the work on the glass, finishing with 17 combined rebounds.

Though last night was a slow game for Mazzante, both she and the Lady Lions should play their usual high-scoring game on Sunday.

And if she does break the record in front of her friends and family this weekend -- which is likely, given her scoring average of more than 20 points a game -- she will probably smile, wave to the crowd, hug her teammates and get ready to do it all over again.

Because the next one is just around the corner, 44 points away to be exact -- the all-time Big Ten scoring record for both men and women.