Feb. 5, 2009
Ann Arbor, Mich., Feb. 5, 2009 - Jamelle Cornley turned in a gem of a performance but his Nittany Lion teammates could not follow suit as Penn State (17-6; 6-4) had its four-game win streak snapped with a 71-51 loss at Michigan (15-8; 5-6 Big Ten) on Thursday.
Cornley posted 25 points and six rebounds on 10-of-12 shooting and a career-best 3-of-4 from three but the rest of the Nittany Lions hit just 9-of-46 (19%) and posted a season low 51 points. The Lions lost for the first time in 15 games this season when leading at the half as Michigan outscored them 42-20 in the second half.
Michigan continued its dominance of Penn State in Ann Arbor improving to 14-1 vs. the Nittany Lions in Crisler Arena and continuing a Lion winless streak dating to 1999. Manny Harris led Michigan with 28 points and seven assists. Stu Douglass added 13 on three treys. Michigan shot 47 percent from the floor and 10-of-26 from three, while Penn State hit 32 percent and 7-of-25 from the arc.
Cornley carried a struggling Penn State offense through the first half as he torched the nets hitting 3-of-3 from the three-point arc and 6-of-7 from the floor for 15 points. The rest of the Lions were just 7-of-26 from the floor and 2-of-13 from three as Penn State hit 39 percent for the half. Michigan was no better hitting at 34 percent while being led by nine points from Harris. Penn State's guards controlled the boards limiting the Wolverines second shots as Stanley Pringle had seven and Battle five at the half, 10 combined on the defensive glass.
Michigan took an early 10-5 lead after a pair of Harris threes. Cornley reeled of 10 straight points to keep Penn State close. The Wolverines led 13-12 at the first media timeout at 12:14 as winded players and officials got their first break.
Danny Morrissey drained a 27-foot three at the top of the key to give Penn State its first lead, 15-14. Battle followed with his own three for an 18-16 advantage.
Stu Douglas hit back-to-back threes to give UM a 22-18 lead, but Battle scored back-to-back baskets, one on a nice back cut from half court, to tie the game. UM again took the lead, but Pringle plucked a steal and took it in for a lay-up to tie the game at 26.
Penn State ended the half with a three from the corner from Cornley to take a 31-29 lead to the locker room.
But, the Lions could not put the ball in the hole in the second half scoring just six points through the first 10 minutes of the last stanza as Michigan took control of the game. Cornley scored 10 of Penn State's 13 points through the 16 minutes and 40 seconds of the half as Michigan began to hit from the perimeter.
A Harris three gave the Wolverines a 12-point lead, 51-39, with 8:05 to play. Unlike in past games, Penn State could not respond as the game continued to slip away late.
Stanley Pringle grabbed a career high nine rebounds and had seven points, but was just 3-of-13 from the floor. Talor Battle, the Big Ten's leading scorer, was held to nine points on 3-of-16 shooting.
Penn State will return to the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in two weeks this Sunday when they take on Wisconsin in a 3:00 p.m. tip on the Big Ten Network. Fans are asked to help "White Out" cancer on "Coaches vs. Cancer Day" at the BJC and wear white to the game. The Philadelphia Phillies World Series Trophy Tour will be on the concourse with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Penn State has won nine of its last 10 Big Ten home games.
It is also a "Subway Full Court 4-Pack" game with fans able to receive four (4) reserved game tickets, a voucher for four (4) soft drinks redeemable at the Jordan Center and a voucher for four (4) 6" inch subs redeemable at any of seven State College area Subway locations all for just $40. The voucher is not valid at the Bryce Jordan Center Subway location.
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 or calling Tickmaster toll free at 800-745-3000.