Nov. 18, 2010
Watch the Next Game Primer Video Scouting Report with Assistant Coach LEWIS PRESTON
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Nov. 18, 2010 - The Nittany Lion basketball team (2-0) will look to improve to 3-0 to start a season for the third time under head coach Ed DeChellis and just the seventh time in the Big Ten era Friday when they take on preseason MAAC favorite Fairfield (1-1) in a 7:30 p.m. tip at the Jordan Center.
The game will be shown on Big Ten Network and can be heard live on the Penn State Sports Network (1450 AM locally) with Steve Jones and Dick Jerardi. The game is a "Subway 4 for 40" game and a holiday food drive will take place at the Jordan Center with fans bringing a can good receiving $7 off a regular priced ticket.
Penn State downed Saint Joseph's on Tuesday behind a career night for senior Jeff Brooks who posted 18 points and nine rebounds. Brooks enters Friday shooting a team-best 66.7 percent (12-18) from the floor and grabbing a team high nine rebounds a game. Talor Battle enters Friday needing nine points to pass DeRon Hayes (1,570) for fifth all-time on the Penn State scoring charts and 18 to pass former teammate Jamelle Cornley (1,579) for fourth.
Penn State and Fairfield will be meeting for just the second time. The Nittany Lions posted a 76-68 victory in Madison Square Garden over the Stags in 1976. Penn State is 10-1 all-time vs. Metro Atlantic Conference members.
The Stags posted a 23-11 record last year and just missed making the NCAA Tournament after falling to Siena in overtime in the MAAC conference tournament final. They were picked by MAAC coaches and several national publications as the favorite to win the MAAC this season. Fairfield returns its leading scorer in sophomore point-guard Derek Needham (13.5 ppg) as well as senior forwards Warren Edney (10.0 ppg) and Yorel Hawkins (5.5 ppg). The Stags downed Sacred Heart, 63-45, in their season opener but fell at Rutgers, 68-53, in their last outing after shooting just 29 percent from the floor.
Nittany Lion Basketball season tickets are available by calling 814-865-5555. Season tickets are $220 for adults, $190 for seniors for a 19-game home schedule and $59 for students. PNC Flex Books are also available again this year for $99. The Flex Book gives fans 12 vouchers, 10 that can be redeemed in any combination for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion Basketball tickets throughout the year and two extra vouchers for the Nittany Lions' Coaches Vs. Cancer game and the Lady Lions' Think Pink game.
For all the latest information, notes, pictures and related links on Penn State basketball follow Assistant Athletic Communications Director Brian Siegrist on Twitter (@PSUSTRETCH) and check GoPSUsports.com. The Nittany Lions are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatebasketball.
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