City of Basketball Love

Marley Paul (@MarleyPaul22)
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Penn State used a late second-half rally to edge Louisiana-Monroe 54-50 on Saturday in its final game in the Return to Rec series. The game marked the end of a long week, playing four games over the past seven days, going 3-1 in that stretch. 

At first...
After jumping out to a quick 8-0 lead the last time on Thursday at Rec Hall, Penn State could quite find that separation in this game. In fact, it was Louisiana-Monroe which put together a 7-0 run in the early minutes to take an 11-7 lead over Penn State. 

Turning point...
Things were tight in this game for much of the first half, seven lead changes between the two teams. The Warhawks created separation, taking a 33-27 lead early in the second half. But Penn State hung in the contest, tying it at 37 with six minute left in the game before outlasting the Warhawks to the finish line via a 12-6 run that gave them a 42-40 lead minutes later. 

Shining star...
The entire team struggled from the floor Saturday, but Brandon Taylor paced the Nittany Lions from start to finish. Sure, he finished with a team-high 16 points, but he was the focal point of the Penn State attack all game, scoring eight points in each half.

Taylor added seven rebounds (three offensive), three assists, a block and steal to his state line. 

Noteworthy number...
33 percent.

The Lions only connected on 18 of 55 shots, worse than the Warhawks, who shot 34 percent on 20 of 59 shots, but somehow managed to escape with a victory. Defense won this game for the Nittany Lions, with 12 blocks, seven coming from their 7-footer Jordan Dickerson. 

Up next...
Penn State (7-3) at Drexel (1-6) 7 p.m., Dec. 19