Protect the Jordan Center.

This simple yet powerful mantra resonates throughout the Penn State women's basketball locker room. The Lady Lions refuse to tolerate visiting opponents trying to hold their lair hostage. In particular, a handful of rivals -- including a familiar face -- won't soon forget their unsuccessful raids.

"We pride ourselves on playing at home. We love having the crowd behind us," junior guard Kam Gissendanner said. "It's the spirit of the Jordan Center. We have to protect our house and we did a very good job of doing that this week."

Syracuse's Vaida Sipaviciute, South Carolina's Melanie Johnson and Notre Dame's Charel Allen all entered the Bryce Jordan Center as their respective teams' high scorers.

"We're really proud [of our defense]," Gissendanner said. "Every time we prepare for a team, we practice and practice and practice. By the time gametime comes around, we should be ready."

Specifically, Allen's plight may prove the most pleasing to the Lady Lions. Once telling Penn State head coach Rene Portland that she was "99 percent" sure that she would commit to play point guard at Penn State, the Monessen native fell in love with Notre Dame's campus. Feeling more comfortable at a smaller school, the 5-11 guard chose to play for head coach Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish.

Portland's eventual catch at the point, Brianne O'Rourke, and Gissendanner, a high school nemesis of Allen's, guarded Allen aggressively, holding her to 12 points on 4/14 shooting - well below her average of 18.0 entering the contest.

"I don't think we were frustrated as much as we could have been," Allen said.

A local product, Allen said she maintains friendships with the handful of Lady Lions she knows through high school basketball. Before the game, she could be seen chatting with Penn State players and Portland.

Despite keeping contact, Portland can't smile about missing out on Allen's ability - and her character.

"Could you see how good [we'd be] if I had her too?" Portland joked.