Feb. 13, 2009
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA., Feb. 13, 2009 - The Penn State Nittany Lions (17-8; 6-6 Big Ten) return to the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday when they take on Minnesota (19-5; 7-5 Big Ten) in a 1:30 p.m. contest televised on the Big Ten Network. It is "Autograph Day" at the Jordan Center with Penn State players signing after the game and fans receiving a free panoramic team poster while supplies last.
Penn State has won nine of its last 11 Big Ten home games as it looks to snap a three-game losing skid. Jamelle Cornley led the Lions with 16 points while Andrew Jones had nine rebounds at Purdue on Wednesday. The Nittany Lions stand sixth in the Big Ten as they are in the midst of a four-game stretch against the four teams directly above them in the standings.
The Gophers stand fifth in the Big Ten at 7-5 after a 62-54 victory over Indiana in Minneapolis on Tuesday. Paul Carter led the Gophers with 22 points in that game and was the only Gopher in double-figures. Carter (14) and Devon Bostick (19) led the Gophers 79-59 victory over Penn State in Minneapolis on Jan. 11. It marked a breakout game for both.
The Gophers play 11 players more than 10 minutes per game. Lawrence Westbrook leads with a 12.7 ppg scoring average. Minnesota leads the Big Ten in blocked shots (6.5) and steals (9.0) per game, but rank in the bottom half in field goal percentage and three-pointers per game.
A crowd of 14,686 cheered the Lions on in their last home outing. Penn State will be looking for high scoring guards Talor Battle and Stanley Pringle to return to form. Battle leads the Big Ten averaging 17.4 ppg and is second with 5.2 assists per game. Pringle is posting 13.2 ppg and leads the conference shooting 47 percent from three.
Nittany Lion basketball tickets can be purchased by calling the Penn State ticket office during regular business hours at 814-865-5555, visiting GoPSUsports.com anytime, or calling Tickmaster toll free at 800-745-3000.