It looked like the game was going to be a runaway, but the score got a little too close for comfort in the second half.

The No. 13 Penn State women's basketball team held on to defeat Old Dominion 81-74, last night at the Bryce Jordan Center, despite blowing a large halftime advantage.

The Lady Lions avenged last season's overtime loss as they improved to 9-0 at home this season.

"We were very happy, this was a big win for us," Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland said. "This was a big win for the program."

The Lions were paced by Kelly Mazzante's 38 points, which tied the all-time record at the Jordan Center--men's or women's. After struggling to find her touch against Michigan State, Mazzante showed why she is one of the best players in the country by rebounding with one of the better performances of her career, despite battling flu-like symptoms.

"I didn't practice yesterday," Mazzante said. "I can't talk."

Despite practically whispering after the game, Mazzante carried the Lions on her back to victory.

"We were very happy with Kelly, she wasn't feeling well at all," Portland said. "It was nice to see her shoot and score in the second half."

The Lions were playing their second game in three days, and it showed. Ten minutes in the teams were going back and forth and the game was tied at 20. From there the Lions went on a ridiculous three point shooting spree to blow the game wide open. By halftime the Lions were seemingly in command with a 52-35 edge, thanks in large part to Mazzante's 26 points - the largest first half output of her career.

The Monarchs received serious inspiration in the locker room, and climbed all the way back to pull within five on multiple occasions. It wasn't until a Jess Brungo steal and a pair of made free throws iced the game for the Lions with 17.9 seconds remaining. "You don't want to know what I said, it wasn't a pleasant halftime," Old Dominion women's basketball coach Wendy Larry said. "I was disappointed with their fire and effort. We were arguing and not talking with one another."

Jess Strom took advantage notching nine assists, which was more than her Big Ten leading average of over seven per game. The Lions will not have much time to enjoy this one however, as they must now turn their attention to No. 20 Villanova Thursday night.