Cagers Down VMI Keydets

Final Score

VMI - 111
PSU - 129

See the Boxscore Here

Game Story

The Bryce Jordan Center scoreboard operator just filed a workman's comp claim. He's got carpal tunnel from operating the scoreboard in today's game against VMI.

The Lions came out blazing to a 7-0 lead in the first minute and pushed it on to a 17-3 lead in the early going. VMI used their 1-2-1-1 pressing style of play, but the Lions beat it bad and often for easy layups.

The Keydets closed the lead to 31-30 at the 8:41 mark, but the Lions closed out the half strong on a lot of free throws and took a 62-48 lead at halftime.

The second half started with the Keydets and Lions trading blows. VMI closed the gap to seven points with seven minutes to go, but State went on an 18-4 run to put the game out of reach for good.

Breaking It Down

Holy crap. Let's talk records first. The Lions set a team record for points easily smashing the old record of 110 set back in 1954. The 240 total points also smashed the old record of 209 set in 1965 against Duke. Also falling were a school record in assists (36) and BJC records for rebounds (53) and field goals (45).

Geary Claxton got another double-double with 31 points and 11 rebounds. The junior forward also registered his 1000th point for his career, not the game cuz that would be a real record. The milestone point fittingly came on an alley-oop dunk from Mooch Jackson with 1:55 to play in the game.

Jamelle Cornly kicked in 25 points and Brandon Hassell added 20. I'm not sure, but I think these are career highs for both players.

You want to know how to score 129 points? Well, first schedule an opponent that thinks the shot clock is only 8 seconds long. Outrebound your opponent 53-34 and force 18 turnovers to get lots of possessions. Take 76 shots and shoot 59.2% from the field. Then get to the free throw line 52 times.

Ben Luber did not start and came out of the game in the second half. His ankle is still bothering him so I suppose he is day-to-day.

Next Up

I know basketball coverage has been less than stellar lately. With the holidays and work I've been really busy. And with the Outback Bowl coming up I figured these games against VMI and Maine were less important. After the OB, we'll shift more focus to hoops.

The Lions will start up the Big Ten season on Wednesday at 7 PM when the Northwestern Wildcats come to the Bryce Jordan Center. The Wildcats are 9-3 on the season and roll into State College with a three game winning streak.