Does the period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve really exist? What day is it? Do I have work today? Is Penn State basketball really playing at 1 p.m. right now?
Well, it seemed like the Nittany Lions didn’t know they had a game, either. Penn State came out to such a sleepy and sloppy start that it found itself trailing North Carolina Central by 11 points in the first half. The Eagles are ranked 351st out of the 365 Division I teams ranked on KenPom. Penn State, if you recall, plays in the Big
Ten.
Thankfully, NC Central’s 11-point lead at the 12-minute mark was its largest of the first half. Eli Rice soon caught fire and made four consecutive three-pointers, giving himself a cozy 14 points by the time the first half ended. But the first-half struggles for the Nittany Lions weren’t yet over. While the lead was at one point extended to 10 points, the Eagles continued to grind and made it a one-possession game at halftime. At the buzzer, Penn State led 36-33.
The second half resembled more of what most folks were expecting heading into this game. Kayden Mingo, who had seven first-half points, took over as the team’s best player in the second period, finishing with 19 points – 12 of which came in the second half. He also had six steals on the day, further cementing his dominance as a two-way player. It’s important for him to excel in games like these.
The second half was quite boring, and in what was probably a good way for Penn State. The Nittany Lions made much better use of their possessions and slowly pulled away from the inferior Eagles squad. When the dust settled, it was a 90-67 victory in favor of the home team. Still, the first-half scare was enough cause for concern to taint the overall result of the game.
Player of the Game
Eli Rice- 18 points, 4-for-6 3FG, +30 in 22 minutes
While Rice didn’t finish as the team’s leading scorer, his first-half shooting spree was the only reason Penn State was able to wake up and get back into this game. If you’re hot, you’re hot!
Random Observations
- Tough road ahead- While the final score looked harmless enough, Penn State’s inconsistency in this game proved that it’s not yet ready for Big Ten play. Sure, certain players can get hot at certain times, but the youth and inexperience of this team are issues. Unfortunately, it’s right into the fire for the Nittany Lions with No. 20 Illinois, No. 2 Michigan, and No. 5 Purdue up next.
- A younger crowd- Kids under 12 got into the Bryce Jordan Center for free for this matchup, and the younger crowd was very noticeable on the broadcast. With college students away for winter break, the crowd noise that NCC was subject to during its free throws was more shrill than usual.
What’s Next
Penn State will head to Philadelphia to face No. 20 Illinois at the Palestra on Saturday, January 3. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
