Field Level Media
Feb 23, 2021
Myreon Jones scored 29 points and Penn State snapped a four-game losing streak by holding off host Nebraska 86-83 in a matchup of struggling Big Ten Conference teams Tuesday night in Lincoln, Neb.
Myles Dread's 16 points, Jamari Wheeler's 13 points, Izaiah Brockington's 11 points and John Harrar's 10 points were needed to overcome a huge outing from Nebraska's Teddy Allen.
All of the Nittany Lions' starters reached double figures, with Jones accounting for six of the team's 14 successful 3-point shots. Penn State (8-12, 5-11 Big Ten) shot 16-for-19 from the free-throw line to help clinch the outcome.
The Nittany Lions needed all this as Allen erupted for 41 points, aided by six 3-point baskets. Allen, a junior guard, shot 16-for-24 from the field and also collected a team-high eight rebounds.
Trey McGowens had 17 points and Thorir Thorbjarnarson added eight points for the Cornhuskers (5-16, 1-13), who committed 18 turnovers.
Nebraska's only victory since Christmas came Feb. 14 at Penn State, a 62-61 decision.
Thorbjarnarson hit a pair of 3-point shots in a one-minute span as the Cornhuskers hung close before a Trey McGowens 3 tied the score at 70-70.
Wheeler responded with a 3-pointer for the Nittany Lions on the next possession. Penn State led the rest of way as Nebraska never caught up again across the final 5:59.
Still, McGowens converted a three-point play with 21 seconds left to close within 82-81. Jones then sank two free throws before Allen's drive for a bucket left 16 seconds on the clock.
Wheeler made two foul shots before McGowens missed a 3 on the game's final shot.
Even though Penn State scored the game's first eight points, it was mostly a tightly contested game throughout. The Nittany Lions led 39-38 at halftime.
Penn State went up 58-48 in the second half before the Cornhuskers closed the gap again.
--Field Level Media