Penn State men’s basketball (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten) won its first conference game against Rutgers (7-6, 3-6 Big Ten) 75-67 Thursday night.

Izaiah Brockington and Myreon Jones led the team in points with 17 each in what was the 400th game played at the Bryce Jordan Center. Seth Lundy had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. John Harrar also contributed on the glass, finishing with 11 rebounds.

How It Happened

Penn State won the toss and found John Harrar in the paint to get the first points of the game. Rutgers had a wide open chance to score after a Penn State turnover, but it missed the layup. Izaiah Brockington was able to knock down a jumper as a quick response.

Rutgers was able to hit a tough shot in the paint, but Brockington responded with a good look of his own. On the next possession, Brockington scored again after an offensive rebound by Harrar.

A Scarlet Knights’ turnover led to a wide open slam dunk for Seth Lundy to get the scoring started for him. A couple possessions later, Brockington continued his scoring dominance on a nice layup.

Sam Sessoms was able to drive into the paint for an easy basket, but Rutgers was able to quickly respond. Rutgers had been out of sorts for the start of the game, not being able to make anything. That allowed for the Nittany Lions to jump out to an 11 point lead at one point.

The Scarlet Knights knocked down a free throw coming out of the media timeout, but Sessoms responded with a wide open three in the corner. Jamari Wheeler then got a steal and wide open layup, but then Rutgers followed up with a layup as well.

The two teams traded baskets for a stretch, where Rutgers hit a three and Lundy got a tough shot to fall. Lundy then followed that up with a monster slam dunk off of an in-bounds play.

Harrar and Sessoms had really great moves in the paint on back-to-back possessions, which is a good sign for this team. Harrar got some blood on him as well, proving how gritty he really is.

Towards the end of the first half, Rutgers seemed tired and dejected. Shots weren’t falling, the Scarlets Knights turned the ball over, and they let Penn State score easy buckets. On the opposite end, there was more life in the Nittany Lions than at any point in the last five games. That was the difference down the stretch in the first half.

Rutgers was able to get a quick steal and score to end the first half, but Penn State still led 34-24.

Myreon Jones, who was quiet in the first half, hit a contested three to start the second half. He then was able to drive into the paint, hit a shot, and draw a foul. He made the free throw to complete the three-point play.

Rutgers made their first basket of the half, but it was quickly answered with a Lundy three. After a made three pointer, Brockington was able to draw a foul and hit one-of-two free throws. A quick steal, though, led to a wide open three four Trent Buttrick and a Rutgers timeout.

After a couple minutes of scoreless offensive possessions, Lundy was able to hit a very contested three. A couple possessions later, Brockington was able to knock down both free throws to extend the lead.

Rutgers did go on a bit of a run, as Penn State missed shots and couldn’t hold onto the ball for very long. The momentum was shifting, and an 11-0 run led to Penn State’s lead going to single digits. But the Nittany Lions got a couple stops and made some key free throws to recapture the lost momentum.

Rutgers went on a run again though, and Harrar ended that with a huge slam dunk. But the Scarlet Knights still were in a better position than at the beginning of the half. Rutgers hit a three on the other end but Jones responded with a three of his own.

With under 50 seconds to go, Lundy was able to draw a foul and hit both free throws. Wheeler fouled Rutgers on the defensive end, sending the Scarlet Knights to the free throw line.

Brockington got fouled and missed both free throws, but the Nittany Lions got the offensive rebound and Jones made one-of-two free throws. That put the game out of reach and Penn State won 75-67.

Takeaways

• Four games in a week is going to teach you a lot about yourself, and Jim Ferry definitely has proven he is learning. He has adjusted the defensive schemes to fit his team’s style, and it worked to fluster Rutgers. It is important to keep the momentum going, but the defense was absolutely a high point.
• Normally, Myles Dread’s absence would be felt. But it didn’t feel like the team was missing any beats with him sidelined due to an injury he suffered against Illinois. The Nittany Lions only attempted seven threes in the first half, and yet offense felt like it was running better than ever. If Dread is able to return and the Nittany Lions can continue to run this kind of offense, they might have found a recipe for success.
• When this team doesn’t foul, they are really good. This game proved it. The Nittany Lions felt like a more complete team and were clearly functioning better. That will be a huge piece of Penn State’s success moving forward.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions will take on Northwestern at home at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 23. The game will air on the Big Ten Network.