Dec. 4, 2010
Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Dec. 4, 2010 - Talor Battle posted his fifth career 30-point game and Jeff Brooks added 17 point and seven boards as Penn State overcame the loss of David Jackson early in the game to post a 77-73 victory over a Duquesne team that hit 14 three-pointers Saturday in the Bryce Jordan Center.
The Nittany Lions improved to 6-2 on the year as Battle posted 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists in an all-around performance that saw the senior guard go 5-of-8 from three and move into sixth all-time on Penn State's all-time career assists chart with 446. Brooks got 13 points and four rebounds in the second half as the Lions overcame a 33-30 halftime deficit.
"I was a little frustrated by the way that we were playing in the first half as we got suckered into the way they were playing on defense," Brooks said. "(They were) just making us run with the ball, throwing it all over the place. So, I told our team that we're playing exactly how they want us to play. We should come in, man up and just play our game instead of playing theirs, and that's what I think we did in the second half."
Fellow senior Andrew Jones pitched in eight points and nine boards and freshman Tre Bowman got a season-high six points in 17 minutes as the Lions played 11 players in the game. Jackson, who entered the game averaging 10.3 pgg and 4.3 rpg, left after just 3 ½ minutes with a neck strain. Jackson pump-faked Duquesne's Bill Clark and the Duke came down hard on the Lions' head. Jackson was taken to the hospital for precautionary x-rays after experiencing "stinger" symptoms down both shoulders. The x-rays came back normal and he will be day-to-day.
"Some guys were getting hurt left and right," Battle said. "Nothing was intentional, obviously, but two teams were really playing hard. That's what basketball is. Hopefully those two guys on our team that got banged up will be all right and get back out there soon."
Clark posted 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Dukes (3-3) who were led by 23 points and seven boards from Damian Saunders. Saunders went 4-of-5 from tree and Clark 5-of-9 as the Duke three-point shooting and the Lions' inability to hit free throws (16-of-31, 51.6%) kept the game close.
Penn State's 77 points equaled a season high and the Lions' hit a season-best 54.9 percent from the floor just days after one of the worst shooting performances in program history.
The Dukes took and early 16-9 lead after hitting three of their first four threes. Penn State used a 7-0 run capped by a Battle three to tie the game at 18.
The Lions took a 25-20 lead after a Battle lay-up and three and a Taran Buie assist to Billy Oliver for a lay-up. The Lions led 27-22 after a Battle break-away dunk, when Duquesne went on a an 11-3 run to close the first half capped by a T.J. McConnell three in the closing seconds.
Penn State played a more intense and focused second half and took a 45-41 lead after a 15-7 run in the first 4 ½ minutes. Five Lions scored in the run capped by a 25-foot Battle three and Battle assist to Brooks for a lay-up.
Duquesne tied the game at 47 after a Saunders three. Penn State built a six-point lead with a 6-0 run. Tim Frazier got a pair of free throws, Brooks another lay-up and a pair of free throws as Penn State led 53-47 with 10:53 to play.
Duquesne came right back as Saunders scored seven straight points, the last on a three, to climb to within one, 55-54, with 8:16 left.
B.J. Monteiro hit a three with 7:37 remaining and the game was tied at 57. The Lions jumped back up by five behind Battle and Brooks and led 62-57 with 4:49 to play.
Duquesne again responded with a three from Clark to pull back to 62-60. Battle answered with a deep three of his own sparking an 8-0 run that saw the Lions take a 68-60 lead after a Brooks lay-up with 3:16 to play.
Mike Talley hit a three for Duquesne, but Battle answered again with a three of his own with 2:33 to play. The Lions maintained a comfortable margin until Clark hit another long three to close to within four, 74-70, with 35 seconds to play. Penn State rebuilt the lead to six before a late Clark three.
The Lions will complete a four-game homestand at the Jordan Center on Tuesday when they take on Mount St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m.
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.
-NITTANY LIONS-