The Penn State Nittany Lions (17-15, 4-14 Big Ten) opened the Big Ten Tournament with a 68-65 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers (13 – 18, 5–14, Big Ten).
The hero of the game for the Nittany Lions was once again DJ Newbill, who scored a team high 26 points, tying Tim Frazier for the Penn State record for most points scored in a Big Ten Tournament game.
The Lions outscored the Cornhuskers 34-29 in the first half, but could not gain a substantial lead in the opening 20 minutes. Nebraska quietly fought back, never letting the Nittany Lions take more than a seven-point lead.
Newbill scored eight points during a commanding 14-1 run in the opening minutes of the second half to stretch the Penn State lead to 16; however, once again, the Huskers were able to rally and pulled within one point with 5.1 seconds remaining in the game after taking their own 14-0 run.
Geno Thorpe was fouled with 4.2 seconds remaining in the game and sunk the two free throws to give Penn State a three-point lead. Shavon Shields missed the pull-up three-pointer that would have tied the game, giving the Nittany Lions the win as time expired.
Terran Petteway had 26 points in the attempt for the Huskers; Shep Garner added 19 points.
Penn State had a tournament-record 16 blocks for the night.
This win marks the first time that the Penn State men’s basketball team will advance in the Big Ten Tournament since 2011.
Penn State will look to stave off elimination against fifth-seeded Iowa on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: GoPSUSports.com
