March 18, 2009
Penn State vs. Rhode Island will be televised on FSN Pittsburgh in Central and Western Pennsylvania and the Comcast Network (former CN8) on Comcast cable systems in: Pennsylvania (except Pittsburgh market), Central and Southern New Jersey (Philadelphia DMA), Delaware, Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.
COX Cable in Rhode Island will also carry the game.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; March 18, 2009 - After a thrilling overtime victory over George Mason Tuesday in an energized Jordan Center, No. 2 seed Penn State (23-11; 10-8 Big Ten) will hit the hardwood again on Thursday for a second round NIT match-up with No. 6 seed Rhode Island (23-10; 11-5 A-10). The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised in Pennsylvania on FSN Pittsburgh.
The game will be a rematch of a Nov. 28 meeting in the Philly Hoop Group Classic in the Palestra in Philadelphia, which Rhode Island won, 77-72, behind 20 points from Jimmy Baron.
Talor Battle's buzzer beating three to send the game into overtime and eight straight points in the extra stanza led Penn State to a 77-73 victory over George Mason on Tuesday as Penn State posted its first post-season win since downing North Carolina to reach the 2001 NCAA Sweet 16. Battle had 24 points, six assists and five rebounds Tuesday as four Lions reached double-figures and Jeff Brooks (13) and Chris Babb (11) posted career highs. Battle's 14th 20-point game on the year and third game saving play in the last five weeks sent the Jordan Center roaring.
Penn State may be without the services of senior forward Jamelle Cornley who re-injured his left shoulder that has caused him problems the last month in Tuesday's action. Cornley, who had 23 points in the first meeting with Rhode Island, is questionable for Thursday's action.
Rhode Island posted a 68-62 victory at Niagara in its first round NIT game. Kahiem Seawright had 23 points and 10 boards in that game while Baron logged 20. Baron, the son of Ram head coach Jim Baron, leads the Rams averaging 17.2 ppg and shooting 45 percent from three with 112 treys on the year. Seawright posts 14.1 a game and Keith Cothran, who logged 18 in the first meeting between the teams, averages 13.6 ppg. The Rams get up and down the floor averaging 79.5 ppg and allowing 72.3 ppg.
Fans can purchase tickets ($15 adult; $5 student/youth) at the Penn State ticket office, by calling 814.865.5555, or visiting GoPSUsports.com. Tickets are also available at all local ticket outlets - BJC, HUB, Eisenhower and Penn State Tickets Downtown - and via Ticketmaster.com
-NITTANY LIONS-