The No. 13 Penn State women's basketball team will have its first road test in the Big Ten tonight at 7 in Mackey Arena against No. 9 Purdue.
The Lady Lions (13-3, 4-0) have struggled in West Lafayette over the years with a 3-7 mark. The back-to-back Big Ten champion Boilermakers (13-2, 2-1) were stunned by Michigan State, 67-62, to begin their Big Ten season, but have won their last two against Wisconsin and Michigan.
Purdue women's basketball coach Kristy Curry knows that the Lions' guard-oriented offense can cause problems for any team.
"It's a very challenging week for us," Curry said. "It's just hard to defend. Bigger doesn't always mean better."
Both Curry and Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland praised the play of sophomore guard Tanisha Wright during this week's Big Ten teleconference. Curry said that Wright is "as good as anyone in our league." Curry has a Wright of her own in junior forward Shereka Wright, a preseason All-Big Ten selection. Wright lit up the Lions last season for 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 64-58 Purdue victory. Junior guard Kelly Mazzante was limited to just 15 points the last time the Lions and Boilermakers hooked up. Curry is impressed with Mazzante's off-the-ball movement and her ability to beat players not only via the three-pointer but also off the dribble. Mazzante will need to have a better performance for the Lions to knock off the Boilermakers on their home court. Purdue hasn't lost on its home court since Nov. 20, 2000 when No. 11 Louisiana Tech won at Mackey Arena.
Portland believes that the Lions' defense is crucial to their success and although they are out-rebounding opponents by 3.5 a game, that they must improve their rebounding. Purdue comes into tonight's contest out-rebounding opponents by almost six rebounds a game. Sophomore Ashli Schwab's status is probable for tonight's game, and junior guard Melanie Croser is expected to see her first action of the season tonight after missing the first part of the Lions' season due to an NCAA rules violation.
