The funny thing about momentum is that it has to come to an end sometime.

After three straight road wins by the Penn State women's basketball team, its return home was spoiled by a 96-81 drubbing at the hands of Iowa (15-8, 8-5 Big Ten) yesterday at The Bryce Jordan Center.

The Hawkeyes' point total was the most the Lady Lions (16-9, 8-4) have allowed all year and the most points surrendered by Penn State in the Jordan Center's history.

"Our defense really let us down tonight," Lions' head coach Rene Portland said after the game. "The defensive shutdown was the biggest disappointment."

The Hawkeyes came out on fire, opening with a five-point lead and proceeding to go on a 14-0 scoring run. They shot 54 percent from the field in the first half compared to the Lions' 46 percent, and held a 49-35 advantage at halftime.

Four Hawkeyes reached double-figures in scoring, with sophomore Jennie Lillis' 32 points leading all scorers. Iowa forward Lindsey Meder also sparked her team with 19 points, 18 of which came in the first half.

"We knew coming in that Penn State had held opponents to 62 points in the last five games, and that their defense was a major factor," Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said. "I'm just thrilled with these players for coming in here and handling the pressure defense the way they did."

The Lions were also unable to establish their usual up-tempo offense early in the game, due largely in part to an uncharacteristic first-half performance by sophomore captain Kelly Mazzante. The nation's leading scorer, Mazzante registered just three points at halftime on 1-for-8 shooting from the floor.

"I think tonight we did see some shots that were pressed, and let's give Iowa some credit," Portland said of the Hawkeyes' defense on Mazzante. "There's three people on her. They were very aware of where she was and what she was trying to do." Mazzante was still able to muster 20 points for the game to lead all Lions' scorers. Freshman guard Tanisha Wright contributed 14 points, and three other Lions finished in double figures, but Portland did not make any of her players available to the media for comment after the game.

"I just don't think kids need insult added to this kind of injury," Portland said.

"Normally when you score 81 points and you only have eight turnovers, and you shoot 54 percent, you win the damn thing."

The loss only complicates the Big Ten standings, as the Lions drop to third overall in the conference with the Hawkeyes nipping at their heels. Still, Portland expressed optimism that her team will rebound in their final four games.

"We now can go four-for-four," Portland said. "That's our next shot."