Pickett’s Performance Leads The Way: Penn State Beats Quinnipiac 77-68
Senior guard Jalen Pickett led the way for Penn State as the Nittany Lions defeated Quinnipiac 77-68. Pickett recorded 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out nine assists as the team extended its winning streak to three games.
Pickett did it all for Penn State, and nearly recorded his second triple-double of the year, but came up just one assist shy. Pickett explained postgame that he knew how close he was to the milestone.
“I was trying to get it at the end,” Pickett said. “(Andrew) Funk and Myles (Dread) owe me lunch after that one.”
Funk and Dread had opportunities down the final stretch of the ballgame, but were unable to help the guard reach the milestone. Penn State didn’t have its best shooting performance of the season, and it showed throughout the game.
The Nittany Lions were 2-of-16 from behind the arc in the first half, and 33.3% from the field as a team to start the game. Penn State was still able to take a 10-point lead into the break, and coach Shrewsberry explained that his team does not need to rely on shooting to be successful.
“I tell the guys we do not live on our offense,” Shrewsberry said. “We have to live on our defense and that is what we’ll hang our hat on.”
The Nittany Lions played a stellar half of defense in the first half, holding the Bobcats to 19.4% shooting from the field. The blue and white struggled in the second half of the game however, giving up 45 points on 42.9% shooting for the Bobcats.
Some of the defensive struggles can be attributed to the absence of senior forward Seth Lundy. Lundy injured his ankle in the win over Canisius on Sunday, and was held out of the game today against the Bobcats.
Lundy’s injury at one point looked serious, but Shrewsberry believes the forward can be back sooner rather than later.
“If we were deep into conference play, he could have played,” Shrewsberry said. “We thought it was important for him to get the rest and get ready for the remainder of the season.”
Shrewsberry also added that they were most concerned about Lundy not being there to crash the glass, but the rest of the team was able to step up and grab rebounds. Pickett was the main contributor for the blue and white, grabbing 12 rebounds.
Lundy’s absence left a lot of minutes to be filled, and were picked up by veteran forward Michael Henn and freshman guard Jameel Brown. Shrewsberry believes in the two players, and thought they earned the minutes they were given in the win.
“They both have been so mature and professional,” Shrewsberry said. “Those two battle when they are on the floor.”
Henn has seen his minutes increase in each of the last two games for the Nittany Lions, and has made the most of his time. Henn recorded a season-high 14 minutes and scored 11 points in his time, which he attributes to his ability to stay ready for when his number is called.
“The coaches have preached it,” Henn said. “It is easy to come in and contribute when you are playing with great players.”
Even without its captain in Lundy, Penn State was able to get the win and move to 9-3 on the year. The Nittany Lions get a week off, before closing out non-conference play on Dec. 29 when they welcome Delaware State into the Bryce Jordan Center.
Adam Sheetz is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
