What a difference two days make: Penn State Basketball Wins!
By Evan Smith
Penn State Basketball defeated Rutgers 75-67 Thursday night to stay undefeated during the Joe Biden administration.
Okay, it’s Penn State Basketball’s first win this calendar year, too. But still, it feels great to get one.
Penn State Basketball led throughout the entire first half with a combination of taking care of the ball and trying a new strategy called not committing fouls. Rutgers didn’t get into the bonus in the 1st Half (or the 2nd Half for that matter). When was the last time that happened?!? Neither team shot very well but Penn State had a 34-24 first half lead.
The Nittany Lions were able to push the lead to 18 as the lid stayed on the Rutgers basket. The entire team looked refreshed to be back in the friendly confines of the Bryce Jordan Center.
John Harrar specifically played excellent defense on the Rutgers center. The Scarlet Knights cut the lead to seven under 10:00 as Penn State started settling for three point shots and missing free throws. Myreon Jones settled things down hitting both ends of the 1-1 and a Brockington steal and two more free throws pushed the lead back over double digits.
A classic prayer at the end of the shot clock that goes end by Ron Harper cut the Lion lead to 7 with 6 minute to go. Buttrick missed a three on the other end and a Scarlet Knight layup cut the lead to 5 from 18 just minutes ago. Rutgers cut it to 4 with four minutes left on a deep three. Myreon Jones hit a 3 and Rutgers answered with another long three. Trent Buttrickanswered to push the leada back up to 6. Another Harper drive ensured this would be a great finish.
Flashes of last year’s collapse on Senior Night vs Michigan State were creeping into all fans as Jones missed an up an under jumper with 90 seconds left, but Harrar got a HUGE board off a Harper miss to keep the lead at four.
Lundy made two at the stripe off a great feed from Harrar with 48.3 seconds. Baker was then given a gift of two free throws as Wheeler gently touched his arm in the act of shooting (thank goodness it wasn’t a three-pointer) and Baker missed the second, forcing Rutgers down 5 to foul with 32.7 seconds left. Brockington missed both free throws (cause of course, seriously we stink at free throws) but Lundy tracked down the miss!
Myreon Jones ended any realistic chance of a Rutgers comeback (even though he only made 1 of 2). Rutgers missed a three and chose not to foul, the refs got confused and somehow gave them a jump ball but it was all but over.
Exhale folks, Penn State finally got one. Take that, hardest schedule in the nation!
