| Big Ten assist leader Brianne O'Rourke and the Lady Lions take on Iowa at 7 p.m. on Thursday at home. Fans can listen to the game on the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com, where the GameTracker feature will also be available. |
Penn State game notes
Big Ten notes
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. January 24, 2006 - Fresh off a win in her 800th career game as the Penn State head coach, Rene Portland will look to keep her team on track as Penn State hosts Iowa on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Fans can listen to the game on the Penn State Sports Network and at GoPSUsports.com, where a link to the GameTracker feature will also be available. It's "80s Night" at the Bryce Jordan Center, and during timeouts fans will be treated to a variety of entertainment with a 1980s flair. Also, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free blue and white wig.
Penn State (8-10, 2-5) is 17-11 overall and 12-9 vs. Iowa in Big Ten games. The Lady Lions have won the last four straight vs. the Hawkeyes, and nine out of the last 12. Penn State also holds a commanding series lead in home games, winning eight out of the 11 games played in Happy Valley. Penn State has not dropped a home contest to Iowa since 2002.
The Lady Lions are coming off a commanding 91-48 win at Northwestern on Sunday. The game was a season-best contest for Penn State in many ways. Penn State's points total of 91 was a new season high, as was the team's rebounding (55), field goals made (37) and field goals attempted (75) totals. The Lady Lions also put forth a season-best defensive effort, holding Northwestern to 48 points, 34 rebounds and 11 field goals, the latter a Penn State opponent low this year. Northwestern's 17-point halftime total also matched the Wildcats' season halftime low.
Penn State has been especially strong on the boards as of late, and has out-rebounded its opponents by an average of 11.5 rpg over the last four games. The 55-rebound performance at Northwestern followed another dominating day on the boards at Purdue on Jan. 19 when Penn State out-rebounded the Boilers, 39-22. That feat was even more impressive considering Purdue came into the game as the No. 2 ranked team in the Big Ten in rebounding defense, and the No. 3 ranked team in rebounding margin. The Lady Lions have out-rebounded their last four opponents 182-136 and the last four game rebounding totals have been: 55-34 (at Northwestern) 39-22 (at No. 11/11 Purdue), 45-41 (at Illinois) and 43-39 (vs. Wisconsin).
The Hawkeyes, who are in 4th place in the Big Ten with a 12-7 overall record and a 5-3 Big Ten mark, dropped its Conference opener at Indiana. Iowa also lost a contest to Ohio State, but stunned Michigan State with a 75-64 victory in Iowa City on Jan. 9. Iowa is led by its senior point guard, Crystal Smith, who is second in the Big Ten in scoring at 18.9 ppg. Smith also ranks 14th in the Conference in assists with 3.3 per contest. Krista VandeVenter leads the team on the boards, pulling down 8.6 per game, which also ranks third in the Big Ten. As a team, Iowa is shooting 46 percent from the field, 74 percent from the free throw line and 37 percent from the 3-point line.
The Lady Lions return to the road on Sunday for a 6 p.m. ET game at No. 14/12 Minnesota. The Lady Lions are back home next week for a 7 p.m. game vs. Michigan on Thursday and a 2 p.m. game vs. Purdue next Sunday.
Single games tickets for the Lady Lions are still available. Tickets can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center ticket windows weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fans can also get tickets by calling 800-863-3336 or 865-5555 locally or visit www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics. Tickets are also available by visiting the Downtown Ticket Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, and at the HUB ticket booth at the information desk. For groups of 10 or more, ticket discounts and preferred seating options are available by calling (814)863-6757.
Fans interested in buying all-session tickets for the NCAA First and Second Round Games at the Bryce Jordan Center on March 18 and 21 should contact the Penn State ticket office at 1-800-863-3336 or 814-865-5555. All-session tickets will gain the bearer entry to all three sessions. Adult all-session tickets for the six-game, two-day event are available for $42. Penn State students, youth under 18 and senior citizens (60 or above) can purchase tickets for only $18. Fans may also purchase tickets by downloading a ticket brochure and returning the adjoining application to the Penn State ticket office at the address provided. The brochure, and additional information on the NCAA Tournament Games at the Bryce Jordan Center are available online at http://www.gopsusports.com/BasketballW/NCAATourney/
Big Ten Tournament tickets are on sale now as well. To get tickets now, Penn State fans can go through the Penn State box office. Fans can also buy all-session tickets through Ticketmaster for $55 at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone numbers (570) 693-4100 in central Pennsylvania) or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
For group ticket information and a group order form, contact Justin Hirnisey of Indiana Sports Corporation at (317) 237-5026 or justin.hirnisey@indianasportscorp.com.