Penn State men’s basketball sets program-record 18 3-Pointers in victory over Winthrop

Story posted November 8, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Thomas English

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. –– It was all about the shooting from beyond the arc in the first game of the 2022-23 season for Penn State.

The Nittany Lions were hot and knocked down a program-record 18 3-pointers against the Winthrop Eagles in Monday night’s 93-68 victory.

Graduate transfer and guard Andrew Funk led the way, going 6-10 from downtown en route to a 22-point performance. Alongside him were returning fifth-year seniors Myles Dread and Jalen Pickett, who tallied seven combined.

“I didn’t even know if I was in the zone,” Funk said. “I think a lot of them were just really open as a result of playing with really good players.”

Funk made a lot of noise throughout the offseason, and most members of the team named him as the best shooter on the team.

He quickly made his presence felt for the Nittany Lions, and his quick trigger was on full display. The Penn State faithful sensed the Bucknell transfer was getting hot when he knocked down back-to-back triples from the same spot.

Preseason All-Big Ten Team selection Jalen Pickett showed how his game has evolved since last season. Mainly known as a mid-range player, Pickett demonstrated his expanded range as he knocked down a few triples in transition.

“I think we can pick it up a little faster,” Pickett said. “It’s going to help us play a more exciting brand of basketball.”

A faster pace of play is something that coach Micah Shrewsberry preached to his guys during the summer. They certainly understood the message.

Defense converted into offense is what propelled the Nittany Lions, as they were able to get out and run to create open three-point looks.

Guard Myles Dread benefitted from this style of play and came off the bench to drill four 3-pointers for Penn State. Dread revealed he had shoulder surgery at the end of last season, but fans didn’t notice a change in his play.

This was a statement performance from a Penn State team that struggled to shoot the three-ball consistently last season. Seven different players hit a three for the Nittany Lions, including newcomers Jameel Brown and Michael Henn.

This performance by the Nittany Lions now sets them up for a great season ahead, as they have shown improvements in the shooting category. The additions made by Shrewsberry and the rest of his staff are already making an impact.

Shrewsberry emphasized the depth of his squad and how they have multiple guys that teams need to “be worried about,” Andrew Funk was one of those guys he mentioned.

“He’s a basketball player,” Shrewsberry said. “He can really shoot. That’s a bonus.”

Penn State finished shooting 18 of 38 from deep and made nine 3-pointers in each half. The team also shot an efficient 55 percent from the floor.

They will look to continue improving upon their 34.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc last season as they look ahead to a matchup against Loyola Maryland this Thursday.

Thomas English is a second-year broadcast journalism major. To contact him, email tfe5082@psu.edu.