The first year of the Micah Shrewsberry era figures to be a season of growing pains, and Penn State’s men’s basketball team experienced plenty of them in Monday night’s 25-point loss at UMass.
After a 20-point loss at Yale last Friday, the Minutemen, picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10’s preseason poll, bounced back in a big way with an 81-56 win over a Big 10 school.
Former Nittany Lion Trent Buttrick, who transferred after last season, had a career-high 19 points and added nine rebounds to lead UMass (2-1).
Four other Minutemen joined Buttrick in double-figures, with Rich Kelly and C.J. Kelly each adding 17, Noah Fernandes scoring 13 and Dibaji Walker chipping in an even 10.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.The Minutemen led 37-33 at the half. UMass then started the second half on a 20-4 run, which effectively put the game to bed.
Penn State (1-1) shot 19-51 from the field. Seth Lundy was the team’s high-scorer for the second straight game with 14, and Sam Sessoms scored 12 to be the only other Lion in double-figures.
The Nittany Lions will look to get back over .500 Thursday when they host St. Francis (BKN) at the Bryce Jordan Center. Tipoff is at 7.
