Topics

More

Penn State Endures Nightmare Road Trip to Illinois

The Penn State men’s basketball team faced a litany of problems just getting to Assembly Hall to play Illinois on Tuesday night. Things got worse for the Nittany Lions when the game started.

First, Penn State’s flight could not land in Champaign, Ill., on Monday night due to poor weather that has wreaked havoc on much of the United States. The flight could not land in nearby Indianapolis, Ind., either. So, the flight was diverted to Evanston, Ind. This meant the Nittany Lions had to endure a 4-5 hour bus trip on game day.

After arriving at Assembly Hall, the problems Penn State faced affected their play. The Nittany Lions struggled defensively and on the boards as Illinois built a large first-half lead. The Illini shot 52 percent and grabbed 10 more rebounds than the Nittany Lions in the half. Penn State had trouble offensively as well, going 9-27 from the field as they went into the half down 36-28.

Even more troublesome for Penn State than the scoreline was an injury to Jeff Brooks. Shortly before halftime, Brooks suffered a dislocated right shoulder which kept him out for the remainder of the game. Brooks will undergo a MRI after Penn State returns to State College.

The Nittany Lions did not fare any better in the second half. Penn State improved on defense, holding Illinois to 39 percent shooting. The Nittany Lions also did better on the boards, with each team grabbing 18. The offense, however, remained in a funk. Penn State shot just 33 percent, including going 0-9 from three, as they fell to a 68-51 defeat.

Penn State falls to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in the Big Ten with the loss. The Nittany Lions return home to play on Sunday against Michigan at noon. In their first meeting of the season, Michigan beat Penn State 76-69.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Michael Berton

I grew up in a Philly suburb, then moved to a different one. I am now at Penn State, where I can actually sate my giant appetite for sports. Other than writing, I also play the cello in the Penn State Philharmonic.

‘We Met At The Den & Have Been Inseparable Ever Since’: A Penn State Love Story

Meet Mike and Susan Nasif, a couple that met at The Lion’s Den in 2000.

SPA To Host GloRilla For Bryce Jordan Center Concert April 3

Tickets for SPA’s first-ever BJC concert will go on sale at noon on Wednesday, February 19.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley Signs Contract Extension Through 2030

Schumacher-Cawley led the Nittany Lions to a national title this past season.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
63.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Michael

Lady Lions Bow Out of NCAA Tournament With Loss to UConn

In the end, the Conecticut women’s basketball team was just too talented. The Lady Lions fought until the final whistle, but it was not enough to even come close. The Huskies dominated for almost the entire 40 minutes in a 77-59 victory, knocking Penn State out of the NCAA Tournament.

Lady Lions NCAA Tournament Preview: UConn

Lady Lions Advance to Sweet 16 With 90-80 Win Over LSU