Captain Planet was always quick to remind kids that "the power is yours!"

They may not have the ability to single-handedly save the planet from pollution, but the No. 22 Penn State Lady Lions have the power to win, or lose, their third straight Big Ten championship.

The Lady Lions (18-8, 13-2 Big Ten) are resting up for Sunday's battle royale with No. 4 Ohio State (25-3, 12-2), the game that will determine whether Penn State finishes first or third in the conference.

"Right now you have to put emphasis on every game, because right now you're one and done," Penn State coach Rene Portland said yesterday in her weekly press conference.

"You can make your season three games right now if you really wanted to.

"So, yeah, in late February and early March there has to be a sense of urgency to finish goals, to focus on really what you said you were going to do at the beginning of the year, and where you wanted to be."

Portland continued to say that even though the Penn State did not envision itself with eight losses at this point in the season, all respective cross-hairs must stay fixed on the Buckeyes.

History is on the side of the Lady Lions -- three times before, the last game of the season has determined the Big Ten champion, and in the last two Penn State has emerged victorious.

Can Portland rely on the experience factor?

"We'll talk about it, there's no two ways about it," Portland said. "I can remember being at Purdue three years ago when we didn't get it, and the trophy was in the building. We actually walked past it and they told us before the game that there would be no press coverage following the game because they had a celebration ceremony planned and the game hadn't even been played yet. So, those things in my mind stick out."

The Buckeyes and the Lady Lions are marshalling all their forces for the game, in hopes of someone, somehow getting an edge.

Ohio State is fluctuating its ticket prices, to as low as $2, to try to get as many scarlet and gray fans in the seats as possible.

Not to be outdone, the pep-band contingent of the Penn State Blue Band is hitting Interstate 80 for Columbus, right behind the Lady Lions.

Honor Roll

If it's an award given to a women's basketball player, chances are senior guard Tanisha Wright is on the award's respective "Watch List."

"All the honors are well deserved," Portland said.

"I think she should be a Kodak All-American. She's the best player in our league because she plays both ends of the court. I don't think there's too many players that deliver to their team what she delivers for us."

Wright's mettle on Sunday could medal her when all is said and done.

No rest for the weary

With a full week off to prepare for Ohio State, Portland is wasting no time preparing -- on the recruiting trail that is.

"This is what we do; this is a big time for high schools -- playoffs are starting," Portland said.

"There was a giant tournament down in Atlantic City, that's where I was [Monday] night. The kids are happy we're on the road recruiting."

Strom misses practice

Senior point guard Jess Strom, who Portland said "makes this little engine run," missed practice yesterday and will be away from the team today, spending time with her family back in Pittsburgh after the recent passing of her grandmother.

Strom will be back at practice later this week.