At the Buzzer: Indiana 61, Penn State 59
Quick thoughts on a 61-59 win against Penn State:
How it happened
It was a stout defensive effort for Indiana in the first half against the Nittany Lions. The Hoosiers, without Trey Galloway, came out of the gate defending with tenacity. Penn State shot just 7-for-33 in the first half (21.2 percent) and scored just 27 points (.83 points per possession). The Nittany Lions were able to keep it close by getting to the line 11 times, where they converted 10 times. Indiana only turned it over five times in the first half and outscored Penn State 20-8 in the paint. Mackenzie Mgbako, recently named the Big Ten’s co-freshman of the year, led Indiana with 10 points and five rebounds in 19 first half minutes while Kel’el Ware added six points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Xavier Johnson, who got extended run with Galloway out, had a stellar opening half with two points, four rebounds, three assists and no turnovers in 17 minutes. Indiana led 32-27 at the break.
The second half, however, started with a flurry of offense from Penn State. The Nittany Lions opened the half on a 15-4 run to grab a 42-36 lead at the first media timeout. Penn State hit a trio of 3-pointers in that stretch. Indiana, however, answered with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead at 43-42 with 12:31 to play. By the under-eight media timeout, the Hoosiers were clinging to a 48-47 lead as both teams struggled to find any flow offensively. Indiana stretched the lead to five at 54-49 on a pair of Malik Reneau free throws with 5:46 to go.
But Penn State didn’t go away. At the final media timeout, Indiana’s lead was just two at 55-53. Out of the timeout, a pair of Puff Johnson free throws tied the game at 55. The Nittany Lions reclaimed the lead at 57-56 on two more free throws from Johnson. Indiana tied the game at 57 with 2:19 left when Ware split a pair of free throws. After Puff Johnson missed a 3-pointer, Indiana grabbed the lead at 59-57 on a lob from Reneau to Ware with 1:46 to play. Penn State tied the game at 59 on an Ace Baldwin bucket with 1:25 left. After a pair of empty possessions for both teams, Indiana called timeout with possession and 24.3 seconds left. Reneau missed a runner in the lane with just over six seconds left, but Anthony Leal’s tip-in gave the Hoosiers a two-point lead. Penn State had a final look at it, but Puff Johnson’s 3-pointer missed to send the Hoosiers to the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals against Nebraska.
Standout performer
It was another outstanding effort for Ware, who finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds in 36 minutes.
Statistic that stand out
After surrendering 85 points to Penn State in Bloomington and 83 in University Park, the Hoosiers limited the Nittany Lions to 59 points in Thursday’s win.
Final IU individual statistics
Final tempo-free statistics
Assembly Call postgame show
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
Filed to: Penn State Nittany Lions