Penn State men’s basketball (11-13, 8-12 Big Ten) had a massive second-half comeback against Nebraska (7-20, 3-17) Wednesday night to move on in the Big Ten Tournament. Jamari Wheeler led the way with a career-high 19 points, also totaling six rebounds and three assists, as the Nittany Lions won 72-66.

Myreon Jones and Izaiah Brockington both added 14 points, all of which came in the second half. John Harrar added 14 rebounds to help takedown the Cornhuskers.

How It Happened

Jamari Wheeler got the game started with made three-point shot. Nebraska quickly responded with two threes of its own. After a scoring drought, Wheeler found his way to the basket and put up a nice layup.

Coming out of the timeout, Sam Sessoms was able to steal the ball and found Seth Lundy for a big transition slam dunk. Sessoms would then find his way to the free throw line, but he only made one-of-two free throws.

The Cornhuskers made back-to-back threes, while the Nittany Lions could not make any three-pointers. The early discrepancy is why Nebraska was able to build up a big lead.

Penn State called a timeout to stop the scoring run, which is exactly what Wheeler did with his second three-pointer of the game. Unfortunately, the Cornhuskers were feeling it from the floor, and they kept making baskets. Lundy was able to push his way to the paint, hit the shot, and draw the foul. He would make the free throw.

Sessoms had baskets on two straight possessions for the Nittany Lions, and they were slowly inching back into the game. But, Nebraska was feeling it from behind the arc, and the Nittany Lions just couldn’t stop them.

After a four-minute scoring drought, Wheeler broke it with a quick layup. He was the only true source of offense in the first half, scoring ten points in the first half.

John Harrar got his first points of the game with a little over a minute left in the half. It wouldn’t be enough for Penn State to really get back into the game, and the Nittany Lions went into halftime trailing 37-23.

Myreon Jones got the second half started with a big three, and Izaiah Brockington followed up with a midrange two. Wheeler then hit a massive three, and suddenly the momentum shifted.

MJ’s here. pic.twitter.com/AyrGelHPLH

— Onward State (@OnwardState) March 11, 2021

Harrar found his way to the basket to capitalize on the 10-0 run to begin the half, and forced Nebraska to take an early timeout.

After a little break in the scoring, Jones was able to find the bottom off the net with a three. Wheeler scored on a fast-break bucket before Nebraska responded with a three to extend the lead.

Sessoms then drew a foul on a big hustle play, and he made both of the free throws. The Cornhuskers were on fire from behind the arc, though, and they kept making those baskets. Sessoms would respond with a quick basket of his own, however.

After Nebraska got a gritty basket in the paint, Jones hit a deep three to cut into the lead. Sessoms would get back to the free throw line and make both of them. Suddenly, the game was tied.

Nebraska was able to hit a three, however, to take the lead. Jones hit a floater and the lead was back down to one. Brockington got to the free throw line, and he knocked down both of them. It was Penn State’s first lead of the game since when they led 3-0 at the beginning.

Brockington got to the free throw line again, and he made both free throws again to extend the lead. The Cornhuskers were able to respond with a quick two to tighten the game up.

The Nittany Lions were able to get their way at the free throw line, making four straight free throws. But Nebraska wasn’t going away, and it was able to make key shots.

The Cornhuskers were able to tie the game up at the free throw line, but Harrar got to the free throw line and made one-of-two to retake the lead. Dread was then able to sink his first three of the game to extend it.

Brockington was able to muscle his way to the free throw line, and he made both of the free throws. Wheeler also got to the line, but he could only knock down one.

The Cornhuskers were able to sink a bucket in the paint and draw a foul, making the foul shot. Brockington responded with a tip in to extend the lead.

Nebraska got to the free throw line and knocked down both shots. Jones was able to get to the free throw line, but he only made one basket. Wheeler also made one free throw, which extended the lead.

Jones was able to get to the free throw line, knocked down both, and sealed the deal. Penn State snuck out the win 72-66.

Takeaways

• Poor shooting continued from the Maryland game into the first half of this one. In the first half, they Nittany Lions shot 28% from the field and only 13% from three. In order to win at basketball, those shots have to fall. It doesn’t help that Nebraska was in a groove, but the poor shooting is something Penn State desperately needs to avoid moving forward.
• When Penn State wins the turnover battle, it is a much better team. In the first half, it committed three more turnovers than Nebraska. In the second half, the Nittany Lions committed three less. That is absolutely one of the reasons the team was able to climb back into the game.
• Size was a huge concern in the preseason, but this game proved that this team can be effective in the paint without having a height advantage. Penn State had two times more offensive rebounds than Nebraska, and John Harrar’s hustle got him 14 total rebounds.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions will take on No. 6 Wisconsin Thursday night in the second round. The game will tip off at around 9 p.m. and air on the Big Ten Network.