Johnstown, Pa., March 12, 2002 -- Watching her team play its "A" game with school history on the line, State College coach Bethany Irwin was one happy spectator following a 75-62 victory over Upper St. Clair in the Sweet 16 round of the PIAA Championships.

"The kids have been playing this way all season long," Irwin said. "They are just playing so well together right now and everyone is contributing. That just makes it fun to sit there and watch."

The victory sends State College to the Elite Eight advancing a Lady Little Lion girls' basketball team to its highest level in state competition in 35 years. State College will play Mt. Lebanon in a game on Friday at a time and site still to be determined.

Tuesday's game featured one constant -- senior scoring leader Katie Glusko -- and one variable -- junior reserve Nicole Scipione.

Glusko provided her usual double-figure scoring effort with a team-high 22 points raising her double-figure scoring streak to 58 straight games.

Scipione came off the bench in relief of junior starter Suzy Carlson who picked up two quick fouls in the first four minutes of the first quarter. All Scipione did was fire in 19 points, one shy of her season high, scoring six straight points in the first two minutes she was on the floor.

Scipione also harrassed Upper St. Clair scoring leader Leigh Sulkowski who showcased her offense by scoring her team's first five points. With Scipione blanketing her, Sulkowski managed only three more points during the rest of the first half. "I think Nicole did an outstanding job on both ends," Irwin said. "I'm really happy for her."

The victory really was more than a two-woman show as Carlson came back in the final quarter to score all 15 of her points. Senior Rebecca Shore accounted for eight points and senior Lisa Younkin scored seven points. Senior Susie Sieminski added three points and scooted under the hoop for hustle rebounds.

The deciding fourth quarter was an offensive free-for-all for Sulkowski who scored 16 of her game-high 27 points. She scored all of her team's eight points in the last 2:31. Junior teammates Jamie Allenbaugh finished with 13 points and Kyra Kaylor had 12 points.