January 12, 2018
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Sophomore guard Tony Carr scored nine of Penn State's 11 points in overtime and hit the game-winning shot as the Nittany Lions defeated Nebraska 76-74 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Carr was one of three Nittany Lions who scored in double digits as Lamar Stevens had a game-high 26 and Mike Watkins contributed 20.
The win was Penn State men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers' 100th at Penn State.
"I am really proud of this group," said Penn State men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers. "That is what we talk (about), when we talk about finishing and breakthrough. They made some huge plays down the stretch and in overtime."
Nebraska's Anton Gill nailed a three-pointer with 14 seconds left in the game to tie it for the sixth time at 74-74. As the clock wound down for Penn State's final possession, Carr moved to the left corner of the key for the shot.
The Big Ten game was Penn State's fourth conference game this year decided by four points or less. The Nittany Lions are 2-2 in those situations, now 3-3 in the Big Ten, and 13-6 overall.
The Huskers had taken a 71-70 advantage with 81 seconds left in the overtime period after making one of two free throws. A Carr jumper and two free throws to put PSU up 74-71 before Nebraska's final three.
Taking a 33-24 lead at the half, the Nittany Lions opened the second period with six straight points. Five minutes into the half, the Huskers earned points back to whittle the lead down. Layups by Stevens, Bostick and Jamari Wheeler, who made his first career start against Nebraska, extended the lead back to 56-44, but the Huskers hung around.
At the 8:46 mark of the second half, Nebraska started a 14-2 run and Penn State's double-digit lead evaporated to one point, 61-60. Two free throws by Watkins put the Nittany Lions back up by three, but Watkins' foul on the other end gave the Huskers two back. Nebraska tied it again at 63 on another free throw.
Stevens' final field goal gave Penn State a 65-63 lead, but Watson tied it with a jumper at the 1:27 mark. The game was tied at 65 at the end of regulation as Watson and Carr traded missed three-pointers in the final four seconds.
Carr was 3-4 in the overtime period, including a three-pointer and two free throws for his nine points. Bostick had the other field goal in overtime.
Watkins had his fourth-straight double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. It was his eighth double-double of the season and 16th of his career. The duo of Watkins and Stevens marked the fifth time in the last two seasons that two Nittany Lions had 20 or more points in the same game. For Watkins, it was his third game with 20 or more points.
The Nittany Lions outrebounded Nebraska 24-16 in the second half for a final advantage of 48-36. Stevens had seven rebounds behind Watkins and Bostick and Wheeler chipped in five each.
Huskers Isaac Copeland and Glynn Watson, Jr. had 21 points each with Copeland leading Nebraska with eight rebounds. Roby finished with 12 points, five coming in overtime, and Gill had 10.
Penn State plays host to Minnesota on Monday, January 15, for a 7 p.m. game at Bryce Jordan Center. Tickets are available for the six Big Ten games remaining at home. Visit gopsusports.com/tickets/m-baskbl-tickets.html for more information
Keep up to date with the latest information from Coach Patrick Chambers and the Nittany Lions on Twitter by following @Coach_Chambers and @PennStateMBB, liking the team's page on Facebook and following the team Instagram account at @PennStateMBB.