B1G Milestone for Stevens in Revenge Game, 90-76 Win over Buckeyes

Story posted January 18, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Logan Dolby

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lamar Stevens (13-5) scored 24 points in 22 minutes today to help the Penn State Nittany Lions topple No. 21 Ohio State (12-6) 90-76 and improve their home record to 10-1 as well as their Big Ten record to 3-4.

Within three minutes of Saturday’s contest against the Buckeyes, Lamar Stevens became the second player in Penn State history to record 1,000 or more career points against Big Ten opponents.

“It’s a blessing just to be able to play in this league so long,” Stevens said. “To be able to have the ability to play every night against great teams... I’m honored. That’s a cool milestone, but I’m more worried about the team and just getting these wins and preparing to go on a great run.

The Nittany Lions have been reeling lately, losing their last three games against Big Ten opponents. They desperately needed a win today against Ohio State, a team that had defeated the Nittany Lions 106-74 earlier this season.

Coach Pat Chambers was not concerned about the previous loss to the Buckeyes, emphasizing mental toughness during practices this week.

“We didn’t even talk about it,” Chambers said. “What’s in the past is in the past. We’re two different teams right now. We have to come out and be ourselves, and we have to compete and do what Penn State basketball does. It wasn’t about Ohio State.”

Freshman forward Seth Lundy was inserted into the starting lineup for the second game in a row and scored 12 points, gathered five rebounds and blocked two shots. The small forward has been a spark for the Nittany Lions lineup, scoring 27 points over the past two games.

Chambers has been very pleased with Lundy, and more minutes and a larger role with the team very well could be in Lundy’s future.

“We can play 10 guys, but we’re going to go with the guys that are playing well, competing, defending, rebounding and getting on the floor,” Chambers said. “[Lundy] can continue to play well and play with confidence, which we will give him. But he’s got to defend, and he’s got to rebound and stop fouling.”

Stevens has been impressed with how Lundy carries himself, saying that confidence is certainly not an issue for the young player.

“He’s a super confident kid, and he stepped up in big situations,” Stevens said. “Coach put him in as a freshman in a tough spot, starting his first game in Minnesota, and he just stepped up and did what he does. He’s a special kid. I haven’t met any freshmen as confident or as ready when his number was called.”

Penn State played excellent defense throughout the game, holding the Buckeyes to just 43% shooting. The Nittany Lions also held Andre and Kaleb Wesson to under 20 points today, which has been difficult for defenses to do. In their previous matchup, Kaleb scored 28 points and Andre contributed 15 of his own.

The same excellence cannot be said for Ohio State’s defense, which allowed 30 points over its typical points allowed for the season. Penn State scored on 54% of their shots.

“That was our worst defense of the year,” head coach Chris Holtmann said. “But give them credit. They made a lot of shots and made it difficult for us.”

The Nittany Lions got some much-needed momentum today. They will head to Ann Arbor to face off against No. 19 Michigan on Wednesday.

 

Logan Dolby is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ldd5135@psu.edu or logandolby16@gmail.com.