Penn State snaps four-game skid on historic night from Pickett

Story posted February 15, 2023 in CommRadio, Sports by Grant Sheets

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – With March Madness hopes slowly dwindling amid a four-game losing streak, Penn State took care of business in a much-needed 93-81 win to complete a season sweep of Illinois on Tuesday.

After coming up just short on countless occasions during the 2022-2023 campaign, senior guard Jalen Pickett took matters into his own hands and carried the Nittany Lions to victory in a historic performance.

The Naismith Player of the Year Midseason Team member enjoyed a night for the record books, joining the 2000-point club in a 41-point outburst. Pickett became the fourth Nittany Lion to score 2,000 career points and the first since 1961 to score over 40 points in a single game.

“I thank God every day to be able to play this game,” Pickett said after the performance. “That’s why I walk around with a smile on my face.”

There was absolutely no shortage of offense on Tuesday night, with the pair of Big Ten rivals going shot for shot all throughout the contest. Penn State set a new season-high point total for conference games, becoming the first team to score over 90 points against Illinois this season.

Early fireworks were set off in the first five minutes of play, highlighted by a transition slam from senior guard Seth Lundy and a combined four straight 3-pointers between the teams.

Pickett had the hot hand right off the jump during his pursuit of 2,000 career points, hitting four of his first five shots while leading the Nittany Lions to an early 22-13 lead.

“I made my first couple of shots, felt good and had a little bounce in my step,” Pickett said. “[Coach Micah Shrewsberry] kept telling me to take my opportunities as they came.”

After going well over two minutes without a basket, Illinois responded to Penn State’s offensive explosion with a timely 6-0 response, silencing the Bryce Jordan Center and setting a familiar scene for the Nittany Lions.

When the blue and white needed him the most, Pickett answered the call and scored all of Penn State’s points amid an 8-2 run to regain momentum.

The senior guard’s takeover rejuvenated the Nittany Lions, as they blasted off to a 44-33 lead with three minutes remaining in the first half.

While Penn State’s offense entered the locker room with a 13-point lead leaving behind a trail of flames, defensive struggles were evident and showed no signs of disappearing in the first two minutes of the second half.

Coming out of the break, the Illini hit each of their first three shots to cut the deficit to just seven, with momentum quickly shifting following a Coleman Hawkins two-handed slam.

However, Penn State kept its foot on the gas, going blow for blow with the Illini and clawing its way back to a double-digit lead with under seven minutes to play.

“They were ready to fight,” Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry said. “That’s a sign of maturity.”

Of course, it was Pickett who sealed the deal for the Nittany Lions, knocking down a pair of free throws to surpass the 40-point mark and sink the dagger into Illinois.

After advancing to 6-9 in the Big Ten with the win, Penn State jumped over Nebraska and now holds the 11th seed in the conference.

The Nittany Lions travel to Minnesota on Saturday to take on the Golden Gophers. Tipoff is slated for 9 p.m. on Big Ten Plus from the Williams Arena.

Grant Sheets is a sophomore majoring in public relations. To contact him, please email gcs5231@psu.edu.