Robin Hood, Jesse James, Danny Ocean, Thomas Crown.

They’re all names we know because of their skill at thievery.

Add Penn State’s Alex Bentley and Dara Taylor to list.

Heading into today’s 2 p.m. clash against Lafayette, the two Lady Lion point guards are making lives miserable for opposing teams trying to keep their valuable possessions.

Bentley had seven steals against Howard in season opener for the No.9 Lady Lions (2-0), then added four more in Wednesday’s 63-58 win at No. 16 Texas A&M. Taylor notched . five steals against the Aggies.

As a team, Penn State has 24 steals in its two wins, many of those leading to easy baskets. Steals make up 57 percent of the turnovers that Penn State opponents have incurred.

The Lady Lions take their cue from Bentley, now ninth on the school’s career list with 227 steals, and Taylor, a speedy transfer from Maryland in her first season with the team.

While Bentley and Taylor may go about things differently, Penn State coach Washington says both have one trait in common.

"The biggest thing is the mentality," Washington said. "Dara and Alex, they have a mentality that they want be great defenders. They’re going to put the pressure on you. If you give them an opening or a little bit of room, they’re going to take advantage of you.

"They’re going to press you the whole time. At some point, you’re either going to cough it up or they’re going to reach in and take it. I love that because when I played I was similar to them. I was trying to steal the ball every time down the floor."

Bentley believes it’s that relentless, constant pressure that allows her to make a theft. She refers to herself as a pesky summer insect.

"I just try to be a gnat," Bentley said. "I try to make them uncomfortable. If I’m doing that, then I’m doing my job. If I’m getting up in their space and they’re not comfortable bringing the ball up, that’s my goal for 40 minutes."

Bentley, a member of the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team last season, says that becoming a master thief is more than just quick hands and an opponent getting careless with the basketball.

"Sometimes they’re not lazy with the ball," Bentley said. "Sometimes, it’s difficult. It’s timing and reaction. We practice it a lot at practice."

Washington feels fortunate to have two players like Bentley and Taylor on the roster. "That’s a great luxury for us," Washington said. "We start the game with Alex and Dara can come in and keep the pressure on."

That figures to be a problem for Lafayette (1-2) today. The Leopards have 52 turnovers this season and are coming off a 73-34 pasting by Villanova.

Lafayette is led by 6-foot-7 center Danielle Fiacco, who is averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. She is the only Leopard scoring in double figures.

Maggie Lucas (21.5), Bentley (17.5) and Mia Nickson (10.0) lead the Lady Lions in scoring. Nickson is grabbing 10.5 rebounds per game.

Notes: Penn State and Lafayette are meeting for the first time. The Lady Lions are 19-0 all-time against Patriot League teams. ... Amanda Brown was in attendance Wednesday to see Lucas move past her on Penn State's all-time scoring list. Lucas (1,237) moves past Brown (1,233) to 24th on the list and needs a basket today to move past Kamela Gissendanner. ... Greene (734) moved past Rashana Barnes (728) to 11th on Penn State's career rebounding list. She is now 23 rebounds short of current State College High School coach Bethany (Collins) Irwin for 10th place. ... Lafayette has been outscored 110-66 in the first half.