Penn State’s Scoring Trio Showing Up Big in First Two Conference Victories
Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry’s keys to victory have been the same for the past four games, all played in the span of one week: rebound, defend and don’t foul. And in the Nittany Lions’ two previous games, each a win, Ferry’s advice has worked like a charm.
Senior John Harrar and company outrebounded both Rutgers Thursday night and Northwestern Saturday night with at least 38 boards each game. Penn State committed fewer team fouls than the opponent in both contests, including a season-low 11 against the Scarlet Knights. Against the Wildcats, Harrar blocked a Boo Buie layup attempt into the stands in a three-point advantage with half a minute to go to help secure the 81-78 victory.
But Harrar never would’ve had that opportunity if his squad didn’t put enough points on the board. Good thing they have sophomore forward Seth Lundy and junior guards Myreon Jones and Izaiah Brockington.
The Big Three have all put up at least 16 points in 35 minutes in each of the past two games to help their team shoot 48% over that span. On Saturday, Brockington’s perfection from the free-throw line in nine attempts and an emphatic second-half slam gave him 21, tied for his second-highest-scoring performance of the season.
The southpaw from Philadelphia threw down a one-handed hammer on a fast break in the second half that rocked the Penn State sideline, and his humbleness and honesty showed in his postgame interview when he mentioned he didn’t have a chance to look at the replay yet.
“In the huddle when we were talking about our game plan, I heard it being played on the big screen,” Brockington said. “I wanted to look up so bad, but I didn’t want to be that guy watching his own highlights while coach is talking.”
Jones has been the most consistent of the bunch. He hasn’t dropped less than 15 points since Penn State’s loss to Michigan in mid-December. His eight boards against the Wildcats were a welcome surprise and a career high in conference play.
But the more notable rebounder of the group has been Lundy, who has grabbed 17 total in the past two games. It’s pleased Ferry, who has been looking for a secondary glass cleaner ever since Lamar Stevens graduated last spring.
The 6-foot-6-inch New Jersey native has made a much bigger impact on the court as of late after being more dormant earlier in the Big Ten schedule. He’s recorded 45 points in his last three outings—17 more than in the five games before that.
The trio will have a few days to rest before they head to Columbus to face No. 15 Ohio State on Wednesday evening. Ferry will surely expect more impact from his guys this time around to keep the game close against one of the nation’s best squads.
Jack McCune is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jxm1237@psu.edu.
