Topics

More

Improbable Upset: Penn State Defeats Michigan

With just over 10 minutes to play, it seemed impossible. Penn State had played hard, but Michigan had opened up a 15-point lead, threatening to turn an entertaining game into a blowout.

When it was all said and done, the dream of an upset became a reality as the Nittany Lions (9-18, 1-14) shocked the fourth ranked Michigan Wolverines (23-5, 10-5) 84-78 in front of an electric Bryce Jordan Center Senior Night crowd that was on its feet for the final few minutes.

It started with a huge steal from Ross Travis to cut Michigan’s lead to 74-71 with 5:34 to go. 40 seconds later, Jermiane Marshall, who would finish with a game-high 25 points, hit a three pointer to tie the game. Penn State had come all the way back, and they were not done.

Marshall added two free throws a minute later to put Penn State in the lead, a lead it would not surrender the rest of the way as the Wolerines were held to 6 points in the final six and a half minutes.

“It’s a memory I will have for the rest of my life,” said D.J. Newbill who finished with 17 points of his own.

A relentless effort made it a happy Senior Night affair for Nick Colela and Sasa Borovnjak who were honored before the game.

“To get a win for these guys, I think it says a lot about our team,” Marshall said.

For Pat Chambers, it is no doubt the high point of what has been a frustrating season for the second year head coach. Despite the losses piling up, he kept believing in his players, and it paid off in a big way tonight.

Following the game, Chambers quoted Winston Churchill’s famous “never ever, ever, ever, give up” line and thanked Bill O’Brien for speaking to his team the other day for some inspiration.

“Words cannot express how I feel,” Chambers said. “It’s great to feel victory again. It’s been so long. It’s great for them. They just worked so hard,” he added.

Penn State ended up on the winning side for the first time in nearly two months, and while Chambers knows a lot still needs to be done to get the program rolling, this can certainly be described as a coming of age  game for his relatively young squad.

“This is Penn State Basketball baby. Get a good picture of it, because that’s what it’s gonna be.”

(More coming in the morning)

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

Drew Balis

Drew is a senior marketing major. This fall, he will be covering Penn State Football for Onward State. He is a huge Philadelphia sports fan and loves THON and Domonic Brown.

Gameday Coverage: No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 4 Ohio State

The biggest game of the season is finally here.

‘I Own It All’: James Franklin Suffers Eighth Straight Loss Against Ohio State

Although the Nittany Lions had issues on both sides of the ball during Saturday’s loss, Franklin took full responsibility for the result.

Fourth-Quarter Offensive Incompetence Dooms Penn State Football In Ohio State Loss

The Nittany Lions failed to score from within the five-yard line late in the game.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
61.3kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Drew

McGloin Named NFL Rookie of the Week

The former Penn State record setting quarterback took home Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors following his impressive first NFL start that resulted in a 28-23 win for the Oakland Raiders on the road against the Houston Texans.

Will Adrian Amos Play Some Snaps at Linebacker?

Willis and Carson Talk Differences Between Butler and Roof