Penn State 86, Nebraska 83: ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??

A recap, you say? You really want a full-fledged recap of a game between two conference bottom-feeders, one of whom has a bright future ahead, the other with a murky future (at best)?

Okay, here’s your recap: This game remained tight and competitive throughout thanks to Nebraska’s Teddy Allen becoming the basketball equivalent of Bo Jackson in Tecmo Super Bowl, racking up a career-high 41 points to go along with his eight rebounds and six assists. It’s not hyperbole to say that Allen single-handedly kept the Huskers in this game while waiting on at least one of his other teammates to pick up the scoring slack.

Fortunately, PSU was able to pull off the win, thanks to Myreon Jones putting on a solid scoring performance himself, leading the team with 29 points while getting double digit scoring from Myles Dread (16), Jamari Wheeler (13), Izaiah Brockington (11) and John Harrar (who had another double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds). Jamari in fact, hit an absolute clutch pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining to push PSU’s precarious one-point lead back to three.

The Huskers misfired on their subsequent three-point attempt and Myles Dread grabbed the loose ball rebound to dribble out the final seconds, securing PSU’s first win since knocking off Maryland on February 5th. It sure wasn’t easy, but don’t you dare call this game boring.

Four Factors

Nebraska shot 54 percent from the floor to Penn State’s 40 percent. PSU’s 16-2 offensive rebounding advantage however was the difference-maker, as the Lions were able to attempt 14 more shots than the Huskers (and they sure as hell needed each and every one of those shot attempts).

Player of the Game

Myreon Jones was absolutely feeling it from downtown tonight, knocking down six of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc, part of his total of 29 points. He also hit on seven of his eight free throws, including a few down the stretch when the Lions were trying to stave off a late Husker rally. Whenever PSU needed an offensive spark, he was there.

Random Observations

• Never Making It Easy- PSU pushed their lead to as high as ten in the second half and really should’ve continued to step on Nebraska’s throat with Allen being the Huskers’ only consistent scorer. Instead, they allowed the Huskers to come back and make this one an absolute nail-biter to the end. Even when leading by seven with 45 seconds left, PSU through a series of dumb fouls and turnovers, allowed Nebraska to swiftly make it a one-possession game and put the outcome in doubt.
• John Harrar The Windex Man - Harrar has been an absolute joy to watch when he’s not getting himself into foul trouble, especially when it comes to crashing the boards. He hauled in 14 rebounds in total, including eight on the offensive glass. While he does have another year of eligibility left, we may want to appreciate watching him these last few games.
• THAT PINK AND BLACK UNIFORM MAGIC IS BACK, BABY.

Up Next

Penn State (8-12, 5-11) returns to the BJC for a Friday night date with Purdue. Tipoff will be at 7:00 PM ET on FS1.