Game Grades: Wagner

Story posted November 10, 2019 in

Despite some sloppy play early, the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Wagner Seahawks, 91-64, to reach 2-0. With the Nittany Lions now getting ready for a tough road matchup in Georgetown, let’s hand out some game grades for each Penn State’s units in the win over Wagner.

Offense: B

Offensively, Penn State had a pretty balanced game plan, running a good mix of transition offense and half-court sets. Penn State also did a good job of getting transition opportunities when Wagner was playing a half-court trap. Point guard Myreon Jones played the best offensively out of all the Nittany Lions, scoring 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting. However, Jones turned the ball over twice in what was a sloppy game for Penn State. With 12 total turnovers as a team and numerous fouls, Penn State did not play to its full potential offensively.

Defense: B+

On the defensive end, Penn State did an excellent job contesting shots from 3, as the Nittany Lions held Wagner to 27% from beyond the arc. Penn State also did a good job forcing turnovers, as Wagner coughed up the ball 18 times. Ten of those turnovers coming from Wagner’s guards alone. The Nittany Lions did a middling job on the glass. The hope is that with such a height advantage, Penn State would dominate the boards and the paint. While the Nittany Lions did force turnovers, the rebound numbers and blocked shots were nothing special, as 43 rebounds and only two blocked shots were recorded.

Coaching: B-

Pat Chambers did well with rotations throughout the game. Chambers went all the way into the depth of his bench as nearly every player got minutes on the floor. Forwards Seth Lundy and Izaiah Brockington cgave Penn State a good scoring source, as the two combined for 24 points off the bench. But in the end, Penn State did not play up to its standards. Turnovers and fouls will undoubtedly cost the Nittany Lions dearly against more seasoned competition. With a matchup against Georgetown looming, coach Chambers will have to improve his team’s care of the ball.

 

David Saggio is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email davesag12@gmail.com.