Nebraska falls to Penn State in Big Ten Tournament

THE SERIES U-M faces the Nittany Lions for the 17th time, all in Big Ten regular season or tournament play. (5) heads to the locker room following their overtime loss to Penn State during Big Ten tournament action at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on March 8, 2017.

In the lone regular season matchup between the two teams, Penn State beat Michigan State 72-63 on January 7 at the historic Palestra in Philadelphia for the Nittany Lions’ first win over the Spartans since 2011.

Prior to Wednesday’s win over Nebraska, Carr lead Penn State in scoring at 13.2 points per game, followed by Stevens (12.5), Shep Garner (12.1) and Banks (10.9). Mike Watkins leads the team in rebounding with 8.1 per game, as well as 9.5 points. Penn State scored the next eight points, but a Nebraska 3-pointer in the final seconds of the first half made it a five-point Lions lead at the break.

“I’m greatly disappointed the season has come to an end”, Nebraska coach Tim Miles said.

Freshman forward Nick Ward stepped up with 16 points as freshman forward Miles Bridges – in his second game back with MSU after missing seven games with an ankle injury – was held to just four points and six rebounds. The Husker backcourt led the charge, as the Huskers used a 12-3 spurt to knot the score at 58-all after a Glynn Watson Jr. 35 seconds into the overtime period Stevens hit a three to give Penn State a 63-60 lead, and the Nittany Lions would not look back. Ohio State takes on Rutgers at 6:00 pm and the victor of that game will also play on Thursday.

Remember that time when Penn State beat Michigan State at the Palestra?

Despite the late push by the Cornhuskers that nearly jeopardized the Lions’ chances of extending their season, the defense was able to produce the Lions’ magic stat. Penn State is 11-0 when limiting its opponents to less than 70 points.

Now it’s on to the play in game which takes place on Wednesday. Their performances are what they are at this point, but in a win or go home setting, a fire could be lit under this team to transcend their performance so far.

Heading up the offense for Penn State this year are Tony Carr (13.2 PPG; 4.6 RPG; 4.2 APG) and Lamar Stevens (12.5 PPG; 5.6 RPG).

The Nittany Lions dominated in overtime. The Webster-less Cornhuskers are left in good hands.

The Nittany Lions took a 3-1 lead in the first quarter, and the Paladins’ 4-1 rally in the fourth quarter came up short.

Nebraska found themselves shooting poorly as a whole as they dipped to 34 percent from the field, a spot they’ve been hovering around during their five-game losing streak. I think he’s a great guy. He knew exactly how he was going to go out and compete. “I’m like we need a tough shot”.