Two legends grace BJC's hardwood

By Josh Daeche
Collegian Staff Writer

Rene Portland and Theresa Grentz met a halfcourt before the game. The two shared hugs and made few candid comments. Then the Penn State women's basketball coach pointed to her Bryce Jordan Center suite to show off her family.

And the two went to the opposite sides of the bench and went to war.

The two pioneer coaches of successful women's basketball programs have shared a tremendous amount of history. Both were standouts at Immaculata College and have coached more than 30 games against one another.

But to Portland, their relationship was no more than a sideline show that involved a major game in the Big Ten.

"It's nice to know where we came from. I'm glad we get to coach against one another," she said prior to last night's game.

"We really don't think of it as us. We just try to get a win for our school and we just want to win."

With differences aside, the two put their history behind and did their jobs.

Both held a share of the lead in the Big Ten going into the game and were fighting for sole control of first place.

The No. 5 (14-2, 5-0) Lady Lions went into the game with a nine-game winning streak and were seeing strong performances from co-Big Ten Players of the Week Andrea Garner and guard Helen Darling.

Garner was averaging just over a double-double over the stretch. However, tonight was different Garner was double team down in the low post and scored most of her 18 points off fast breaks.

The No. 13 (13-5 4-1) Fighting Illini entered the game with one of the best Big Ten forwards in Tajua Catchings. Catchings was named this week's other Co-Player of the Week and demonstrated all evening why she was a threat to any defense.

Early in the second half Garner got into foul trouble and was forced to spend almost the entire second half on the bench.

"I don't ever foul out," Garner said. "It was frustrating to watch from the bench. I'm used to contributing."

Throughout the game Catchings was quick to the ball and was able to create her own shot, while grabbing rebounds and forcing turnovers. Despite being in foul trouble early in the game, she responded in the second half by fighting hard and creating her own shot.

Catchings cut Penn State's lead to four when she went on a 6-0 of her own before fouling out. Catchings was the sole reason Illinois in the game all down till final minutes of the ball game.

"I thought we were in it right down until the end and then we made a few mishaps and Penn State took advantage of our mistakes," Catchings said.

Taking advantage of the opportunities is what Penn State did down the stretch, with Garner scoring two crucial baskets at the end of the game to give the Lions the 76-66 victory.

The win gave Portland her 450th win as Penn State coach and bragging rights over her long-time friend.