Live by the three or die by the three.

It's an old saying that nine times out of 10 holds true in the game of basketball, and especially in the world of women's basketball where the art of shooting seems to be emphasized, and utilized, more than the art of the playground.

This is extremely apparent when watching the No. 5 Penn State Lady Lions.

Saying that this team likes to shoot the three-ball is an exaggerated understatement.

The Lady Lions shoot threes like their lives depend on it.

But until the triples stop falling it doesn't seem like the Lady Lions are going to stop the aerial attack anytime soon.

Leading the way in almost all three-point categories is two-time All-American Kelly Mazzante.

Not only does she lead her own team in attempts with 159 and makes with 58, but she also has taken more threes, 39 more to be exact, than the next closest player in the entire Big Ten. Actually, 41 percent of Mazzante's 22 points per game come from behind the three-point line.

Even when teams throw junk defenses at her and she's double-teamed, she finds a way to shoot.

"I always feel like I can get off a shot," Mazzante said without hesitation.

But who can blame her?

She has arguably the quickest release in the game, which means if a defender is giving her an inch of space, literally an inch, she can pull the trigger and so far this season she's been making them pay, shooting 37 percent from behind the arc.

But, Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland said that she doesn't think that her team is one-faceted.

Instead she insists that the Lady Lions' interior play -- for better or for worse -- has opened up the guards who linger near the three-point line waiting to hoist up a shot.

"Balance is really necessary for us," Portland said. "It opens up the post play and gives them the room that they need."

However, it's not just Mazzante who's getting open looks from the beyond the three-point line.

Point guard Jess Strom is actually leading the team in three-point percentage, shooting close to 40 percent and senior Jess Brungo has attempted 64 long balls this season, which is second on the team.

While the Lady Lions have not just been living, but thriving on the three-point shot this season, one need not look too far to see the opposite end of the spectrum.

Northwestern, who currently is residing in last place in the Big Ten conference , is the only team who has attempted more triples than Penn State. However, they don't have one player who is shooting above 34 percent from long distance.

Coincidence?

No matter what the numbers say, Portland insists that she will not stop utilizing her team's three-point shooting ability.

"Do I stop the three? Absolutely not," Portland said. "I'm a big advocate of them getting in the gym and shooting the three because it gives me one more point than a two."