Quick Report: Penn State 86, Minnesota 77

After a month-long hiatus, Penn State returned to the Bryce Jordan Center on Tuesday to host a Minnesota program it beat in the inaugural game at its newly built arena 20 years ago. The Nittany Lions were again victors, as Penn State won its first Big Ten game of the season 86-77 in a contest of runs, with Penn State’s best one coming in the closing moments to seal the win.

At First…
Penn State jumped out to a 5-0 run as Brandon Taylor opened the scoring with a great look out of an isolation set. Payton Banks followed with a putback layup off a Josh Reaves 3-pointer that rimmed in and out. Minnesota responded with an 8-0 run and then both teams exchanged leads for much of the first half.

The Golden Gophers took a 36-32 lead into the half after a pullup jump shot from Nate Mason with 10 seconds left in the half.

Turning Point…
Defense was at a minimum in this contest, both teams finished shooting over 50 percent from the field, but Penn State picked the best time to lock down the Golden Gophers as the the Nittany Lions scored 16 unanswered points after facing its largest deficit of 71-63 with six minutes to play. During the run, Shep Garner was the floor general, dumping a pass off to Jordan Dickerson for an easy dunk to cut the lead 71-67. On the ensuing possession, Garner passed up on a 3-pointer and rifled a pass into the paint to Taylor, whom hit a layup as the Nittany Lions trailed by just two. Then, it was Garner’s turn as Taylor posted up on the left block before kicking to Garner at the top of the key for a 3-pointer that gave Penn State a 72-71 lead. The Nittany Lions didn’t look back, piling on until a layup from Bakery Konate with 53 seconds ended the run, but could not stop the bleeding as the Nittany Lions closed out the game at the free throw line.

Shining Stars…
The Nittany Lions received strong efforts from three starters to lead the charge. Taylor carried the offense early, with six points through the opening minutes and finished with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists before fouling out in the final minute. Banks was the lone constant from start to finish for the Nittany Lions en route to a career-high 24 points on 8 of 11 shooting, plus five rebounds and three steals. After a slow start, opening 1 of 5 from the floor, Garner found his stroke down the stretch, nailing clutch 3-pointers as he finished with 20 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Noteworthy Numbers…
86.

An offensive showcase was not expected as two of the lesser teams in the Big Ten squared off. But both teams put on impressive displays and for Penn State, it was the highest point total of the season, a welcome sign for a team that has been prone to go on prolonged scoring droughts.

Up Next…
Penn State (10-6, 1-2) vs. No. 5 Michigan State (Jan. 10, Noon)
Minnesota (6-10, 0-3) vs. Northwestern (Jan. 9, 2:30 p.m.)