Jan. 25, 2011
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Jan. 25, 2011 - Penn State (10-8; 3-4 Big Ten) will return to the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in 10 days Wednesday when the Nittany Lions take on Iowa (8-11; 1-6 Big Ten) in a 6:30 p.m. tip at the Bryce Jordan Center. It will be "Dollar Dog Night" at the Jordan Center.
The game can be seen live on the Big Ten Network and heard live on the Penn State Sports Network, 1450 AM locally, and on Sirius channel 113 and XM radio channel 196.
Penn State enters Wednesday having shot better than 50 percent from the floor in its last two games, both on the road, and having won the rebounding battle in four straight while holding those four Top 20 ranked opponents a combined 58 points (14.5 ppg) below their season scoring average. Penn State went gone 2-2 in its last four outings splitting four-straight games vs. Top 20 ranked opponents.
The Nittany Lions are unbeaten at home in the Big Ten season having knocked off No. 18 Michigan State and No. 16 Illinois in their last two appearances. Senior forward Jeff Brooks ranks second in the Big Ten in conference games hitting 64.6 percent from the floor and is coming off one of his best all-around outings on his career leading Penn State in points (19), rebounds (8), assists (5) and blocks (3) in a near upset at No. 14 Purdue.
Brooks is one of four Nittany Lion senior starters who are all averaging double-digit scoring over Penn State's last four games. Senior guard Talor Battle leads the way posting 20.2 ppg, second in the Big Ten, as he continues to close in on Penn State's all-time career scoring mark. Battle will bring 1,889 points into Wednesday, 98 points shy of Joe Crispin (1,986) in second and 250 shy of the 55-year old record mark of 2,138 set by Jesse Arnelle.
Iowa snapped a six-game losing skid and posted its first conference win of the year with a 91-77 defeat of Indiana in Iowa City on Saturday. The Hawkeyes shot 58 percent in the game and were led by 20 points and 10 rebounds from freshman forward Melsahn Basabe. Junior guard Matt Gatens leads the team scoring 13.2 ppg and with 37 threes. The Hawkeyes are 1-4 on the road this year. They are one of the top rebounding teams in the Big Ten ranking third pulling down 36.5 rpg and 12.63 offensive boards.
Iowa has won the last two meetings in the series, both in Iowa City, and leads the series 22-11. Penn State is 8-6 at home vs. the Hawkeyes. Penn State has won the last three meetings in State College. Iowa posted a 67-64 in Iowa City last season. Penn State won 63-59 in the last game at the Jordan Center in 2009.
Nittany Lion Basketball single-game tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 814-865-5555, visiting GoPSUsports.com or through Ticketmaster. Single-game tickets are $18 for the lower bowl and $15 for upper level tickets for adults. Youth tickets (18 and under) are $7 for the lower bowl and $5 for upper level seating, while Penn State student tickets (University Park or branch campus) are $5 for each of the 19 home contests.
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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