Sophomore guard Jen Harris and freshman guard Lisa Etienne officially received a release from the Penn State women's basketball team yesterday, according to a press release from the sports information department.

Under NCAA rules, Harris and Etienne are now allowed to speak with other schools regarding a transfer.

Harris, Etienne and freshman guard Amber Bland were told by head coach Rene Portland following the Lady Lions first-round NCAA Tournament loss to No. 13-seeded Liberty that they would not be a part of Penn State basketball for the 2005-2006 season and should seek another team, Harris said yesterday.

"She said in the locker room that three people won't be coming back next year," Harris said. "Then when we got to the hotel, she called me down and among other things told me that I needed to look for another school."

Assistant Sports Information Director Erin Whiteside said Wednesday that Portland would make a statement if the status of any player changed.

Portland could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Whiteside said Portland was on vacation, but several calls and a message left on Portland's cell phone last night were not returned.

Bland, who was not named in the university's statement, could not be reached for comment on whether she had requested or would request such a release.

Whiteside could not be reached to comment on whether Bland had requested a release.

Etienne declined to comment on the reports.

"I don't want to comment on the situation," Etienne said. "What we discussed is between Rene and myself."

Harris said that when she met with Portland in the hotel, the coach gave no reason as to why she was asking Harris to seek another program.

"As I recall now, none," Harris said. "I don't know. I can't speak for her either. I don't know what was on her mind."

Harris continued to stress, as she has done throughout the week, that she is not pursuing a transfer.

"I called and asked if my scholarship was being revoked, and I didn't receive an answer," Harris said. "The program is being accommodating right now and doing whatever I ask. I asked them for permission to talk to other schools, and they gave me that. I have not requested to transfer."

Harris still sees a possible return to the Lady Lion basketball team.

"...That's something I'm very open to; that's something I would love to do," Harris said. "That was my plan the whole time. I wasn't going anywhere."

Pearl Harris, Jen Harris' mother, who was initially quoted on the situation Wednesday, said her most important role in the last few days has been to stick by her daughter.

"I don't know how the rumors started," Harris said. "I'm not trying to bring down Penn State. I'm looking out for Jen. Just like [Reicina] Russell last year, people think she quit and people were like well forget her. Jennifer did not quit. She was asked to leave."

Harris, a starter at the beginning of the season, was the Lady Lions third-leading scorer this season, averaging 10.4 points per game, but she came off the bench for the last eight games of the season.

Harris said she did not think her on-court performance this season was a reason why she was asked to seek another program.

"I can only assume that it is off the court," Harris said. "On the court I guess I have gone through a slump, but I don't think I had a bad year at all. It was a huge step up from last year and very productive to the team."

Harris said she has always been very outspoken in practice, contrary to the other players in her position.

"From my observations of them, Lisa didn't speak at all in practice and Amber is chillin'," Harris said. "I'm outspoken and I speak my mind."

According to Harris, the following occurred after Sunday's game: the Penn State coaching staff returned to the locker room after a press conference and Portland told the team three players would not be returning next year, in addition to talking about the game itself.

The team then traveled back to the hotel and the players and coaches returned to their respective rooms.

Harris met with Portland first, individually. Then Portland met individually with Etienne and Bland, according to Harris.