Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland is expected to be fine for this Friday's game against No. 6 Duke after being admitted to Mount Nittany Medical Center on Sunday night.

Portland experienced a fainting episode Sunday night after her team's game against No. 2 Texas, but she was released without complications or further incidents.

Associate head coach Annie Troyan said, while filling in for Portland in Tuesday's press conference, that even in the hospital all the two talked about was basketball, and that Portland was in "great spirits."

"Rene's doing great," said Troyan, who took over coaching practice yesterday. "We're expecting her back fully."

Penn State heads to North Carolina to play the Blue Devils on Friday, and from there will head north to take on Villanova on Sunday. Also joining the Lady Lions on the trip will be freshman guard Amber Bland, who missed the past couple weeks with mononucleosis. Bland went through her first practice yesterday morning, and Troyan said she expects Bland to see her first action on Friday.

"You'd never know she was gone," Troyan said. "Athletically she can step in right now. She didn't miss a beat.
On the defensive end she's gonna make a presence right away. Offensively we do have some catching up to do with her."

Bland averaged 31 points her senior year in high school and was named First Team All-Ohio from 2002-2004. Her speed and athleticism will add to depth at both ends of the floor, though Troyan noted that it would take some time for her to understand the offense completely.

Future players finalize future

The Lady Lions also inked two more recruits in the early signing period yesterday. Courtney Molinaro and Rashida Mark signed letters of intent, upping Penn State's signing class to four.

Molinaro, a power forward and a 2004 Nike All-American, has won three state championships at Allentown Central Catholic High School, She had verbally committed to Penn State in July 2003.

Mark is a 6-foot-2 forward from Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a Street & Smith Magazine Honorable Mention All-American the past two seasons and is the 17th ranked recruit in the New York City area.

Twas the night before basketball...kind of

As the conclusion of the seven part Penn State Basketball Tip-Off Tour 2004, Basketball Eve will take place tonight at the Bryce Jordan Center at 6:30.

Both the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions will sign autographs and fans will be introduced to both squads. Fans will have a chance to register for the $1,000 Mid-Court Shot Contest, that will take place towards the end of the night. A laser show will wrap up the night's events.

The Nittany Lions will host Lehigh on Friday, while the Lady Lions do not play at home until Nov. 23 against Duquesne.