Penn State (5-3) hosted Georgia Tech in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on Tuesday at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Yellow Jackets (4-2) played their first game away from home this season against the Nittany Lions and couldn’t manage to come away with another win as Penn State managed a 67-60 victory over Georgia Tech.

How It Happened

Both teams struggled from the field in the opening minutes of play. With nine minutes left in the first half, the game was tied 12-12 with the Nittany Lions shooting 31% from the field and the Yellow Jackets shooting 25%. Shep Garner had eight of those 12 Penn State points to open the game.

In the next three minutes, both teams picked up the pace and ended its scoring droughts. Two quick buckets from Lamar Stevens helped Penn State gain a lead on a 6-0 run, but Georgia Tech’s end-to-end play gave it the lead right back with a basket and one to go up 22-20 with 5:42 left in the half.

Georgia Tech led 28-23 with 3:26 remaining in the first half, but Penn State had an answer before the break. A 7-0 run orchestrated by Tony Carr and Mike Watkins, capped off by a last second layup from Carr, gave the Nittany Lions a 30-28 lead at the half.

After a three to restart play from Georgia Tech’s Josh Okogie, the Nittany Lions got off to a 7-0 run and built a small second half lead in the opening few minutes. Up to that point, neither team’s lead was ever more than two possessions and Georgia Tech came back to tie it 39-39 with 12:59 remaining.

The contest stayed tight through most of the game. Shep Garner, Mike Watkins, and Lamar Stevens led the way in double digits for the Nittany Lions as they held a 57-53 lead with just 3:18 left in the game.

In a two-point game with 1:38 left on the clock, Josh Reaves hit a huge corner three as the shot clock was winding down and scored on a fastbreak layup after the Nittany Lions forced a turnover. Those crucial plays were enough for Penn State to gain a seven-point lead, which it held on to in a 67-60 win.

Player Of The Game

Shep Garner | Guard | Junior

Garner was in double digits for the seventh time this season in eight games. The junior led the team in scoring with 17 points as Penn State won its third-straight.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions will be back at the Bryce Jordan Center Saturday night against Wright State. Tipoff will be at 5 p.m. on BTN+.