Adrienne Squire possesses neither a plethora of experience, loads of playing time nor an abundance of agility -- but she has done well with what she has been given.

The 6-foot sophomore guard always had an accurate shot but lacked the quickness needed for the college level. Following an out-of-pocket trip to Tennessee with guard guru Jackie Ansley, she has improved noticeably from last year, when she averaged only 1.9 points in 21 games and can eclipse last year's total output with 10 points tonight.

Following a career-high 17 points against Duquesne last Tuesday, Squire's improvement did not go unnoticed by Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland.

"I went after the three starting guards yesterday and said 'Don't become complacent because she's right on your tail,' " Portland said. "She gives us a legitimate four kids, four guards that are ready to play at any moment."

The lone returning member of last year's backcourt, she was overshadowed by the raw athleticism that freshmen Mashea Williams and Brianne O'Rourke bring to the table.

Coming off the bench in relief of either Williams or transfer Kamela Gissendanner, Squire has given the Lady Lions their most productive minutes, as she has 31 points in 57 minutes of play.

"She is our only 3-point shooter at this time," Portland said. "We have to develop that from the rest of them. But she needs to spend time at the gym and make every one of her shots the money ball."

So far she has cashed in. Although Squire cannot penetrate to the basket as well as the freshmen prodigies, she does add other dimensions.

She can knock down free throws and hit from behind the arc. Squire is perfect in 10 free throw attempts and 20-of-20 in her career. She is second best from 3-point range, (45.5 percent) trailing only junior Charity Renfro, who is 1-of-1.

Ansley, who comes to State College four times a year, was key in that development. Squire visited Ansley in Tennessee over the summer. The trip, paid for by Squire and her family, has been paid back already.

"I spent a total of, I think, five or six hours a day with her," Squire said. "It was real tough. I left there not being able to walk, but it was really good."

For a distance shooter, the ability to set the feet comes first and foremost. Her ability to load up quicker stands out most to her coach.

"Her footwork mechanics have really improved," Portland said.

"And she knows her body better than really anybody on our team, of space, and speed and anticipation and what she needs to do. That awareness of her body is really what makes things happen."

If she's not making things happen on the court, while sitting alongside it, she's helped make the coaching staff develop the younger players who's she's fighting to take playing time from.

"I'm vocal on the bench, trying to tell them where to be," Squire said.

"As far as plays go, I pretty much know the plays and I'm trying to help the young ones learn them better. You know, it helps to see everyone first and then go out there and try to do what I can."

And she has done a lot, even on the defensive end, as she is tied for third in steals with three. Williams and O'Rourke lead the team with six apiece.

Squire's such well-rounded game and sheer game intelligence has put her in a position as a team leader despite her youth. She has attended the meetings with the team's captains and coaching staff.

"Right now I'm just trying to come off the bench and help in any way possible," Squire said. "Whether it's bringing 17 points to the table or just three points."

She's already brought more than she did all last year.