Penn State Defeats Northwestern 71-62

1/16/2016 9:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Demps scores game-high 22 points

By: David Herder

EVANSTON, Ill. — Tre Demps had his fourth 20-point game of the season and Bryant McIntosh posted his first career double-double but Northwestern succumbed to the Penn State 71-62 Saturday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

"Penn State had better energy, were more competitive, and brought the fight, and it knocked us back – we weren't at that level," Coach Chris Collins said. "You're not going to make shots if you don't have the right attitude. When you continue to play like that, your defense disintegrates.

"We got down 18 with eight minutes left, and it was just too little too late."

Both sides broke out of the gate, finding plenty of transition opportunities in a wide open game. Down 5-4 four and a half minutes in, McIntosh drilled a jumper with his foot on the line, bringing the packed hose to its feet.

After a timeout, the game's frenetic pace slowed, both sides looking to work the ball for better shots. While the #B1GCats were effective on both ends, Penn State drained three consecutive long jumpers, rushing out to a 13-10 lead with 12:15 left in the half.

The student section erupted into chorus with the introduction of Alex Olah, the center making his first appearance in 26 days after being sidelined with a foot injury.

"It was great to see him out there, I know how much he wanted to be out there," Collins said. "He's just got to be out there, and let the game come to him."

But the big man's introduction couldn't help shots fall, as both teams combined to miss six consecutive shots. The Nittany Lions were the first to find their shooting form, extending their lead to 20-10. Meanwhile, Northwestern just could not find the net.

With eight minutes left in the half, Dererk Pardon entered and sparked the Wildcat offense to life. In three and a half minutes, he posted six points, three rebounds and a steal, keeping the 'Cats within 10 at 26-16.

Olah reentered the game with three minutes left in the half, immediately pulling down an offensive rebound and getting to the line, sinking both free throws. Scottie Lindsey followed by dropping a floater off the glass, keeping Northwestern within seven at 30-23 as the half expired.

Northwestern didn't make a three, and just made nine of 32 overall, in the first half, yet remained within striking distance. With any regression in the second, Northwestern would be in good shape.

"We said we needed to drive the ball, but I'm not going to tell good shooters not to shoot," Collins said. "I thought we were actually in a good position because we made nothing and we were only down seven points."

Sanjay Lumpkin started it off with a knifing run to the rim, and McIntosh followed with a floater, making it 35-27 with 16:22 left. Northwestern started finding success in the paint, with Pardon and Olah finding easy buckets, but Penn State's offense was firing, pulling out to a 48-31 lead.

With 10:21 left, Demps spotted up and hit the Wildcats' first three of the night, and a McIntosh floater on the next possession bringing the student section to life, chopping the lead to 50-36.

The rims just wouldn't cooperate with Northwestern, as Penn State stretched their lead to 57-40 with 4:37 remaining. In transition, Demps pulled up for a straight on three, burying it to revive hope. Following a stop, Falzon one-upped Demps, draining from a step further back, igniting Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Both teams traded baskets, before Pardon thundered home a slam, keeping the stadium rocking. With a minute and a half left, Demps cut backdoor for an easy layup, bringing Northwestern within nine, at 61-52. Pardon and McIntosh followed suit, and with Penn State missing free throws on the other end to make it an eight-point game.

With the #B1GCats committed to fouling, the offense continued chipping away, as Demps finished consecutive congested layups. While Falzon added another lay-in, the time wouldn't stay on the clock, as the last seconds ticked off.

Demps paced all scorers with 22 points while McIntosh posted 12 points and 10 assists.

Northwestern returns to action at 7 p.m. Central time Tuesday when it travels to Maryland.