When the night was over, fans left the Jordan Center salivating over the rematch Jan. 31 in Iowa City, Iowa.

In one corner stood the Hawkeyes' 6-foot-4 center Amy Herrig, whose growing reputation recently hit legendary status after an unprecedented 23-point, 25-rebound performance against Purdue and its own first-rate pivot player Camille Cooper. For her exploits, Herrig earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors and had the young Hawkeyes playing above .500 basketball in conference play entering Friday night's game.

In the other corner, donning her familiar blue-and-white trunks was another former Big Ten Player of the Week in the 6-foot-3 Andrea Garner. Following her 22-point night against Michigan State, Garner met Herrig at center court to shake hands knowing each was at the top of her game.

"Amy Herrig is a great center, she is having a great year," Garner said. "It takes me two, two and a half games to get 25 rebounds and she did it against a great team like Purdue."

Garner's attitude resulted in instant offense for the Lady Lions in the first half, as they raced out to a 32-22 halftime advantage courtesy of Garner's 15 points. On the other end, Herrig was double-teamed every time the ball was thrown into the post and was held relatively in check for the game's first 20 minutes. Though she scored eight points, Herrig was for the most part kept under wraps by a Penn State defense trying to prevent her from turning in another Big Ten record-breaking performance.

That would all change in the second half.

By methodically pounding the ball down low to Herrig, the Hawkeyes slowly chipped away at Penn State's first-half lead. Herrig owned the second half. She scored 11 points by shooting 5 of 7 from the floor and added to her game-high 11 rebounds.

Because of the constant double-teaming of Herrig, the Hawkeyes were able to adjust, freeing Lindsey Meder and Cara Consuegra to connect on four 3-pointers, all in the second half.

With 3:46 remaining in regulation, the two battlers found their squads deadlocked at 55, and themselves both with 19 points.

"Our veterans showed up as true veterans tonight," Iowa coach Angie Lee said. "Amy was a true senior. She was the one that held her composure and did a lot of nice things out there tonight."

Despite Lee's flowery statements, Herrig would not score again.

With a block, a rebound and a key layup in the game's final three minutes, Garner was the Lion who ultimately delivered the knockout blow. When the game was on the line, Garner did what great players do.

She demanded the ball -- and she responded.

"I think tonight was really fun because you saw two of the best post players in the Big Ten really go head to head," Lee said. "(Garner) is just a special player and there were times when we caught up, Garner wanted the ball. There was no mistake about it, and her team knew that."