Even though last week I wrote about Penn States’s mens basketball team’s win against Michigan, I couldn’t resist writing about the mens basketball team twice in a row. On Tuesday night, our Nittany Lions played the sixteenth ranked Michigan State Spartans, winning with a final score of 75-70. Penn State came into the game ranked twenty second. After this game, it will be interesting to see how the rankings change and hopefully how much Penn State rises.
The Nittany Lions (17-5, 7-5 Big Ten) have won five straight games in the Big Ten for the first time and have become contenders in the conference during the second half of the regular season.
“It’s great that we’re in the position we’re in, but if you focus on that, that’s when you start to slip,” Chambers said.
The Spartans (16-7, 8-4) dropped consecutive games for the first time this season. They also lost to a Big Ten team at home for the first time this year.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.journalgazette.net%2Fsports%2Fcolleges%2F20200204%2FNo-22-Penn-State-beats-No-16-Michigan-State-75-70&psig=AOvVaw0C92GWa0aQUG1cd4knNt-i&ust=1581053051832000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAQQjB1qFwoTCLCbg9-XvOcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAd
Michigan State’s Cassius Winston scored 25 points, but could not convert on two chances to pull into a tie in the closing seconds. Lamar Stevens had 24 points and Myreon Jones made a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 20 points. Stevens made two free throws to give Penn State a three-point lead with 16 seconds left. Winston had an opportunity to tie the game with a three-point play on the ensuing possession, but missed the free throw. Stevens then made two free throws to restore the three-point lead with 9.1 seconds left.
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackshoediaries.com%2F2020%2F2%2F5%2F21123936%2Fpenn-state-basketball-roundable-continuing-momentum-lamar-stevens-myreon-jones-pat-chambers&psig=AOvVaw0C92GWa0aQUG1cd4knNt-i&ust=1581053051832000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAQQjB1qFwoTCLCbg9-XvOcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
The Spartans were then forced to foul Curtis Jones, who made two free throws to seal Penn State’s first victory at Michigan State since 2009 and just the second in 25 games.
Penn State was in control for much of the game, leading by as much as 11 in the first half and by six at halftime. The Nittany Lions played with composure in the second half when the Spartans tried to rally.
The program has already matched its total of Big Ten victories last season and should surpass its school record of 10 Big Ten wins. The Nittany Lions have set a school record with four road wins in the Big Ten.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fsports%2Fpsu%2F2020%2F02%2F05%2Fmichigan-state-basketball-tom-izzon-pat-chambers-lamar-stevens%2Fstories%2F202002050105&psig=AOvVaw0C92GWa0aQUG1cd4knNt-i&ust=1581053051832000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAQQjB1qFwoTCLCbg9-XvOcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAP
After this great win over a ranked Big Ten rival, the Nittany Lions seem to have unlimited potential, and the players and fans are surely looking ahead to March with high hopes. The Nittany Lions are in a position to earn an NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 in their final season under coach Ed DeChellis (knock on wood). However, it is still February and I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Just have to take it one game at a time.
On Saturday, Penn State will host Minnesota in another Big Ten matchup. Tickets will be sold for $5 in the HUB on Thursday and Friday from 3-5. I highly recommend buying tickets and attending it should be a great game (it’s also whiteout so wear anything white you can find). The game will tip off at 4 pm.
I was not able to watch the game so I found the in-depth rundown really cool and helpful. Super excited to see where the team get ranked for the tournament
It sounds like the Penn State vs. Michigan State game was very exciting!! Hopefully, the team can keep up the success against Minnesota and continue to earn a good position for the NCAA Tournament. March Madness would certainly be electric in Happy Valley!
I remember watching this game. It was so exciting. The team is playing extremely well this year. Hopefully, they can continue to have performances like this, and, hopefully they can eventually make it to the tournament in March.
This made me think of barstool’s post the other day comparing our record to Villanova’s. It’s just crazy to think of how exciting this season has been and will continue to be.