Quick thoughts on an 85-66 loss at Penn State:
How did it happen
Indiana clung to Penn State in the first 11 minutes Wednesday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. But the Hoosiers lost focus defensively to close out the half and the offense also cratered. Indiana trailed 16-15 with 9:15 left in the first half, but the Nittany Lions took control with a 3-point shot. Penn State had nine triples in the first 20 minutes to Indiana’s one. Five of those 3-pointers came in the final 9:15 of the first half. At intermission, Indiana trailed 37-26 and had given up 1.13 points per possession. Those Penn State numbers were produced with Jalen Pickett scoring just five points and providing just two assists in the first half.
Indiana used an 8-0 run early in the second half to shoot in the five at 39-34 with 16:53 remaining. The Hoosiers came back within five at 44-39, but Penn State scored the next five points to cut the lead back to double digits at 14:05. At 7:57 of the second half, Penn State’s lead had increased to 18 at 69-51. Indiana never seriously challenged Penn State for the rest of the game. The loss, Indiana’s third straight, dropped the Hoosiers to 10-6 overall and 1-4 in Big Ten play.
Outstanding performer
Trayce Jackson-Davis recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes.
Statistics that stand out
Penn State has set up an offensive clinic. The Nittany Lions scored 1.3 points per possession and shot 18 for 31 from beyond the 3-point line. Indiana’s defense, ranked first in the Big Ten last season, is a shell of what it was a season ago.
Final Individual UI Stats
Final statistics without tempo
Assembly Call Post-Game Show
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
Filed at: Penn State Nittany Lions
