UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa - The Penn State Nittany Lions are off to a strong start since they tipped-off their season on November 10 against Youngstown State. Under new head coach Micah Shrewsberry the team is currently 2-1, and ready to keep getting better.
"These guys have been through a lot and stayed together," said Shrewsberry. "We use the mantra of win anyway no matter what happens on the court and who is playing. It is important that we just find a way to win together."
That mantra is leading to a high standard on the court.
"These guys are truly warriors," Shrewsberry said. "On the defensive end I ask a lot from them to continue to play extremely hard. When we get stopped on offense, I ask them to run the floor and get to the rim. What I ask for everyday is not easy and takes a lot of effort."
Guard Sam Sessoms believes Shrewsberry is making a huge impact on the program with his intense playing style and coaching experience.
"I honestly feel that coach Shrewsberry is an amazing coach," said Sessoms. "In the short amount of time I've spent with him I have learned so much about the game in every aspect. I can feel his presence as a coach improving my game every day."
In the first game of the season at the Bryce Jordan Center the team took down Youngstown State, closing the game out 75-59 led by top scorer Seth Lundy with 23 points. That win was also the first time fans were back in the Bryce Jordan Center since the COVID-19 pandemic. The players noted how their energy was felt on the court.
"It is amazing to play in front of fans and your family,'' Sessoms said. We want to win and play hard for each other, but when you hear the fans scream for you after scoring it gives a different feeling to it. Home court advantage is definitely a real thing."
Although the team followed up that win with a tough road loss to UMass, there were still takeaways for this young season.
"When tough moments come, we need to stick together and believe in our principals in what we need to do," said Shrewsberry.
Unquestionably, the team was ready to bounce back following the loss and defeated St Francis Brooklyn in the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday night. Penn State won 74-59, and for the second time this season kept its opponent from scoring under 60 points. Sessoms led the way with 26 points, a new Penn State career high, and John Harrar added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Nittany Lions.
Jalanni White also made his first start as a Nittany Lion in the game. He went 4-of-5 from the field for eight points and added seven rebounds and two assists.
For Shrewsberry, no matter who is starting, the team needs to meet a certain level.
"The one thing that I told the guys is that we are going to play to a standard," said Shrewsberry, again emphasizing the level he expects. "I told them it doesn't matter who's in the game, we need to hold ourselves to a standard when it comes to playing."
As the team looks ahead, they will enjoy these moments while continuing to get better.
"Winning is hard at all levels," Shrewsberry said following the St. Francis Brooklyn win. "No matter what you feel like, no matter what it looks like, you learn to celebrate it, and then you've got to learn from it."
The Nittany Lions will look to continue learning and playing at that high level on Monday when they tip-off against Cornell at 6:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center.
