Indiana signed on for two more years of the Crossroads Classic this week. It’s a move, coach Tom Crean said, that changes some non-conference scheduling.“We’re going to play a neutral game in Indianapolis.BLOOMINGTON – Penn State coach Patrick Chambers sensed it was coming.
Indiana scored two baskets in the first 40 seconds of the second half Sunday against the Nittany Lions.
Chambers then called a timeout, hoping to slow IU’s momentum.
It was too late.
The No. 11 Hoosiers regained their shooting touch – specifically from three-point territory – and snapped a three-game losing streak with a 73-54 victory against Penn State (10-11, 2-6 Big Ten).
“The first two possessions sort of set the pace for us,” said Indiana freshman Cody Zeller, who finished with a team-high 18 points. “We had to match their intensity. In the second half, we just turned it up defensively, and it led into our offense.”
There was a moment of silence in recognition of the passing of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno before the game. Paterno, 85, died Sunday morning.
Penn State players wore black stripes on their jerseys.
“He loved basketball. He would always tell me a story about how he covered (Hall of Famer Bob) Cousy,” Chambers said wistfully as he spoke about Paterno. “He just wanted basketball to be successful, really wanted to give us what we needed to be able to compete in the Big Ten on a daily basis – in recruiting, in games, facilities, any amenities – he was all for it. I know that hasn’t been the perception, but that’s not true.”
Zeller started IU’s second-half rally, scoring on a tip-in of a missed shot by Verdell Jones III.
Jordan Hulls stole the ball during Penn State’s next possession, raced to the other end and made a pass to a trailing Jones. The senior guard finished the play with a layup to give IU a 31-29 lead. Chambers then called the timeout.
“We knew coming out of the locker room that we needed to have a good start,” said Hulls, who had 14 points.
It was the start to an 18-6 run. The Hoosiers (16-4, 4-4) hit four three-pointers during the stretch.
Christian Watford hit the first three-pointer during the run, which gave the Hoosiers a 34-31 lead. Watford hit another three-pointer at 17:31, and Hulls made a three at 15:58 to stretch the lead to 40-35.
Matt Roth followed a Will Sheehey layup with a three-pointer to put Indiana ahead 45-35. Chambers called another timeout.
“They are a very talented team. Obviously at home they can shoot and at Penn State they can shoot,” Chambers said. “We have to counter that. We can’t go to the line and miss free throws, and we can’t miss layups. We had no answers for their runs, and maybe that’s because of the atmosphere.”
Indiana made 5 of 9 three-pointers in the second half and finished 7 of 16 from beyond the arc.
The Hoosiers also got it done defensively. Penn State went 5 of 22 from the floor in the second half (22.7 percent). The Nittany Lions shot 34 percent for the game.
“The No. 1 thing that had to happen on offense was to take care of the ball,” said Indiana coach Tom Crean, whose team had just nine turnovers. “The No. 1 thing on defense was to really control the looks that they got. Judging by the field-goal percentage defense and not turning it over, those were big-time positives today.”
Watford scored 11 points for IU. Victor Oladipo and Sheehey each had eight points. Sheehey was ejected with 6.8 seconds left after picking up his second technical for a tussle near Indiana’s bench.
Tim Frazier led Penn State with 21 points.
“They are a very talented team and we knew what we were up against after they lost the last couple,” Chambers said. “Coach Crean does a great job with them.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story
