Jan. 1, 2012
EVANSTON, ILL., Jan. 1, 2012 - Penn State (8-7; 0-2 Big Ten) led at the half but couldn't hold off a red-hot shooting Northwestern team (11-3; 1-1 Big Ten) in the second half as the Wildcats snapped a six-game Nittany Lion win streak in the series, 68-56, in Evanston Sunday.
Tim Frazier (Houston, Texas) led Penn State with 16 points. Jermaine Marshall (Etters, Pa.) added 14 and Cammeron Woodyard (Westminster, Md.) 11 and six boards for a Penn State team that shot 34 percent and committed 15 turnovers.
Northwestern was held in check in the first half, but hit 10 of its first 11 in the second half before posting 71 percent in the half and 55 percent shooting for the game. Drew Crawford scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half and went 7-of-9 in the game. Dave Sobolewski added 20 points on three treys and John Shurna had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Penn State had the game tied at 40 following a Marshall lay-up with 13:13 to play when Northwestern used an 8-0 run to open up a 48-40 lead. Back-to-back threes from Alex Marcotullio and Crawford sparked the run. The Wildcats would out-score the Lions 23-10 over the next 10 minutes to take a 63-50 lead.
Penn State got back within nine, 64-55, on a Trey Lewis fade-away three from the corner with 1:45 to play, but would get no closer.
Penn State took a 26-23 lead to the half and never trailed in the first half after an early 2-1 Wildcat lead despite shooting just 26 percent from the floor. The Lions forced eight first half turnovers from a Wildcat team that came in averaging 9.9 per game on the year and dominated the rebounding 25-14. Northwestern shot just 37 percent in the half. The teams combined for 15 field goals and 16 turnovers. Both teams hit 3-of-11 from three.
Penn State built an early 6-2 lead after the first of two threes from Jermaine Marshall in the half, but would never lead by more than four. Northwestern tied the game four times but could never regain the lead.
John Shurna twice tied the game for the Wildcats, first at 10-10 following a three-point play and again at 19-19 after a three. A Cammeron Woodyard three put the Lions up 24-21 and Penn State finished off the scoring in the half with a pair of Sasa Borovnjak free throws after being fouled on a put-back attempt with under a second to play.
Dave Sobolewski had 10 first half points for the Wildcats, including a pair of threes. Tim Frazier paced Penn State with seven as six Lions combined to record Penn State's 26 points.
Penn State returns to action Thursday at the Bryce Jordan Center when the Nittany Lions take on Purdue in an 8:00 p.m. tip on the Big Ten Network.
All of Penn State's games can be heard live on the Penn State Sports Network throughout Pennsylvania with Steve Jones and Dick Jerardi calling the action. "The Penn State Basketball Show" featuring Nittany Lion coach Patrick Chambers and Steve Jones airs each Thursday live from Damon's Grill in State College. Fans are encouraged to attend the live broadcast or call in their questions for the coach at 1-800-52LIONS.
PNC Flex Books for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion basketball are 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 on Feb. 11 vs. Nebraska and the Lady Lions' Think Pink game on Feb. 26 vs. Minnesota.
Nittany Lion Basketball single-game tickets or group tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY, 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. Penn State also offers special basketball group ticket rates for groups of 15 fans or more. Nittany Lion group rates are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.
For all the latest information, notes, pictures and related links on Penn State basketball follow Associate 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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