Right from the opening tip-off, the contest had all the makings of a typical Penn State women's basketball road game.

Winless on the road in the Big Ten this season, the Lady Lions' drought continued with a 76-49 loss to Michigan State last night. Penn State has not won a regular season Big Ten road game since Feb. 23, 2006.

After defeating then-No. 23 Michigan State a week ago, 69-58, Penn State seemed to be an entirely different team last night.

"The tables were turned," head coach Rene Portland said to the Penn State Sports Radio Network. "We didn't play any defense. To give away 48 points in the first half was really crucial. They hit some threes. They ran the floor really, really well. Our lack of defensive performance by our guards really put us in a tough spot tonight."

It was evident that the Lady Lions' struggles would continue right after the opening whistle when Michigan State grabbed three consecutive offensive rebounds and took a quick 2-0 lead. Penn State continued to allow Michigan State several opportunities on offense, as the Spartans shot 50 percent from the field and an impressive 8-for-16 from behind the arc. Michigan State led by as much as 32 points late in the second half.

The tandem of guard Victoria Lucas-Perry and forward Aisha Jefferson led the Michigan State offensive onslaught. Lucas-Perry led the team with 20 points, while Jefferson followed her with 16.

"We let people shoot in our face," Portland said. "We just didn't play with any defensive intensity."

Offensively, Penn State struggled to get the ball inside early in the game, committing three turnovers and taking only two shots within the first three minutes of play. By the end of the contest, the Lady Lions had turned the ball over 16 times and shot a measly 33 percent and only 4-of-13 from beyond the arc.

Despite the offensive woes, freshman Tyra Grant scored a team-leading 22 points, even though she only shot 7-for-21 from the field. Amanda Brown, who posted a double-double with 27 points and 14 rebounds a week ago against the Spartans, posted only 11 points and 7 rebounds last night.

"Amanda is a big part of who is successful for us," Portland said. "They did a really good job of playing her [tonight]."

The Spartans also dominated the boards, hauling in 40 rebounds to Penn State's 30.

The Lady Lions will have chance to lick their wounds this Sunday as they return to the Bryce Jordan Center to face Wisconsin. The Lady Lions and the Badgers will be wearing pink jerseys for Think Pink Day in support of breast cancer awareness. Both teams will be looking to bounce back from disappointing losses. The Badgers fell 83-56 last night to Indiana.

"It's gonna be a tough game for us," Portland said. "The kids did come in with the intent of winning tonight, I know they're really, really disappointed so I have to make sure I get their spirits back up."