LEWISBURG -- Hope Foster is among the many seniors and juniors on Bucknell's roster who is excited to finally play Penn State in a game with officials tracking the fouls and fans in the stands.
Bison coach Kathy Fedorjaka is hoping predicted bad weather doesn't chase away many of the fans expected to provide one of the biggest crowds in Sojka history for a women's game.
Bucknell hosts Penn State today at 7 p.m. The teams have scrimmaged behind closed doors each of the previous two seasons.
"The opportunity to play (Penn State) in a real game is real exciting," Foster said. "We've felt good about ourselves after playing them in scrimmages. We respect the conference they play in and the type of program they have. But we feel can compete with them if we play for 40 minutes."
That has been the Bison's problem at times in recent years.
When Bucknell (3-5) has a committed energy and focus for a full game, the outcome -- especially against Patriot League opponents -- has been a convincing, double-digit victory.
Against Penn State (8-3), which has a win against national power Duke earlier this season, Bucknell will need that level of play to stay in the game.
Fedorjaka has seen signs of that in practice since the Bison went into the exam break with a double-overtime victory over George Mason.
"The practices have been the best over a break period in my years here," the 11th-year coach said. "The intensity, the focus; the kids have been awesome. They've really elevated their level."
Bucknell has experience with all five starters -- whether Ashton Sprouse or Lauren Schober starts at the forward spot -- having been around the program for at least three years.
Now, however, some of new talent has picked up on the 20 offensive sets and the defensive dedication expected of them.
That has Fedorjaka optimistic for the rest of the season.
"They are maturing as a group," she said. "(Freshman) Taylor (Phillips) is noticeably better. She's strung some really good practices together. And the team as a whole is in better condition. They weren't out of shape, but with a lot of newcomers we had to slow things down in practice so they could pick things up.
"Now we can just fly through something without having to stop."
Penn State, under first-year coach Coquese Washington, is a more committed group to an up-tempo style. The Lady Lions, making their first trip to Lewisburg in more than 33 years, have scored at least 66 points in all but three games.
In addition to beating then 10th-ranked Duke, Penn State also beat then 21st-ranked Pitt this season. Both wins were at the Bryce Jordan Center.
"Somebody sent a text message to me saying that Penn State beat Duke," Foster recalled. "That adds to all of the hoopla, all the excitement. It's an opportunity to knock off a perennial power."
Bucknell visits Duke on Friday, Dec. 21.
Foster is 11 points shy of 1,000 for her career. She will be the 16th woman in Bucknell history to do so. Though the Bison need her to be productive at both ends of the floor against the Lady Lions, Foster's focus is on leading the team to be the best it can be. The best, Foster believes, is one that can win every game it plays.
"We'll play real well in the first half or the second. We'll play good for 15 minutes," the senior center said. "When we have played for 20 minutes each half, man, we're good.
"There's no doubt the three games in March (the Patriot League tournament) are the most important games. But we have to learn to play for 40 minutes now."
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