Hoosiers lose close rematch

Every time the Hoosiers made a run at No. 19 Penn State, the Lady Lions roared back. That was how the game went for the women's basketball team in its 79-70 loss Thursday night. \n"(The) road woes that people have in this conference, we've had," Penn State coach Rene Portland said. "We're thrilled to death to beat a team twice. It's something you've got to get done. I thought it was a good basketball game tonight, and we're very fortunate to come out of it the way we did."\nSomewhere in the middle of the turnovers, the fouls and the missed shots, the Hoosiers (13-6, 4-4) managed to give Penn State (13-6, 5-3) a little competition.\nThe first half wasn't the blowout that the Lady Lions delivered when the teams met 11 days ago. Instead of leading by 21 going into the half, Penn State managed a few quick baskets at the end of the first half to gain a six-point cushion.\n"We knew coming in we had to stop their penetration," Penn State senior guard Lisa Shepherd said. "We also knew they are great three-point shooters, so we tried to get over the three-point line, but also stop them from driving up the middle."\nThe Hoosiers jumped to a quick lead in the first half on a quick drive to the basket from junior guard Heather Cassady. Penn State would lead only twice in the first half, and on two free throws from senior forward Maren Walseth, the Lions had their first lead less than two minutes into the game.\nSenior guard Rainey Alting answered with her first of three driving baskets. Alting scored her second a minute later, which took the Hoosiers on a 7-3 run and gave IU its biggest lead of the game, 14-8. \nDespite picking up four fouls in five minutes and giving Penn State the most looks its had from the free throw line this season, the Hoosiers led for most of the first half.\nPenn State tied the game at 23 with four minutes left in the half, but IU managed to hold them at 28 each, until freshman forward Courtney Upshaw made two layups and a pair of free throws, to give the Lions a 34-28 halftime lead.\n"In the first half, we shot the ball poorly," coach Kathi Bennett said. "We had some opportunities in transition, but we didn't get those. When you play against a very good team those are the things that can't happen."\nThe second half didn't start out as well as the first for the Hoosiers. Penn State jumped out to a 12-point lead less than two minutes into the half. \nIt looked like IU was going to get blown out of the water again. But after being down by as much as 13 with less than 12 minutes to go, the Hoosiers were suddenly sinking shots that had bounced in and out before.\nMaking a rumble at the end, IU drew within three, thanks to an Alting defensive rebound and drive to the basket. Alting ended with three steals and a team-high 20 points. She also posted seven rebounds. \nBut Penn State answered on the following possession with freshman guard Kelly Mazzante's three-pointer from the key. The Lady Lions weren't really threatened again.