MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Penn State men's basketball shot above 50 percent from the field, but Minnesota capitalized on points off turnovers to ultimately earn the 76-70 victory Saturday evening at Williams Arena.
Senior Sam Sessoms led four Nittany Lions in double figures with a team-high 18 points, plus five rebounds and three assists.
Junior Seth Lundy had 16 points, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Senior Jalen Pickett added 10 points, four rebounds and six assists.
Graduate student John Harrar was just shy of a double-double with 12 points on 6-of-8 from the field and a game-high nine boards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Nittany Lions started the game 4-for-6 from the field for an 8-7 lead at the first media timeout with six of those points courtesy of Harrar.
- After Minnesota went on a 7-0 run to take its first lead of the night, Penn State answered right back with a 7-2 run of its own capped by Myles Dread's three to force the Gophers to call timeout.
- Solid play by Sessoms with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting through the first 15 minutes extended Penn State's lead to 31-26 with 4:47 remaining in the first half.
- The Nittany Lions held the five-point advantage at the final media timeout of the stanza before Minnesota closed the gap to make it a 36-36 game headed into the locker room. Penn State shot 60 percent (15-of-25) in the first half, but Minnesota scored 19 points off turnovers for the even score.
- The Gophers started the second half off hot, hitting three-straight 3-pointers to take a 48-42 lead and force Penn State to call a timeout.
- Penn State got back within two, 60-58, with Dread's third three of the night as Minnesota then called a timeout with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation.
- Six-straight points from Sessoms tied the game and then gave the Nittany Lions the 67-65 lead with 3:45 left.
- Minnesota took a 70-67 lead with just 62 seconds remaining. Pickett hit a free throw with 24 seconds left on the clock to get within one, but the Gophers closed out the game from the charity stripe for the 76-70 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Senior Sam Sessoms was again efficient off the bench with 18 points, his third-straight game with double-digit points as the sixth man.
- Graduate student John Harrar registered his 11th double-digit scoring game of the season.
- Senior Myles Dread was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc for his ninth game this season with at least three made 3-pointers.
- Penn State dominated Minnesota on the glass, 36-21, but the Gophers had the huge edge in points off turnovers (26-3) to ultimately decide the game.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry
UP NEXT
Penn State returns home for four of its next five games, beginning with a Tuesday night tilt against No. 17 Michigan State at the Bryce Jordan Center. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
The 2021-22 Penn State men's basketball season is presented by Highmark Health.