Northwestern didn’t take its first lead until the 11:25 mark in the second half, but it was all Wildcats from there en route to a 76-72 win over Penn State at the Bryce Jordan Center Wednesday night. The win scored Northwestern its first over Penn State since 2020.
Penn State played a spectacular defensive game in the first half holding Northwestern to 32 points and leading by eight at the break.
It was the start of another fierce battle between Northwestern and Penn State. Four out of the last five games between the two programs have been decided by decided by four points or fewer.
I CAN SEE CLARY NOW
Penn State’s Kanye Clary had a game-high 25 points in the loss with 14 of those coming in the first half. Clary has proven himself as the team’s go-to guy and once again he delivered in a big way for Penn State.
To Northwestern’s credit, it did its part in limiting his damage in the second half and it proved to be one of the difference makers in the game.
Clary was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line as well.
SINGIN’ THE BUIE’S
Penn State came out of the half with an eight-point lead, but Northwestern used a 13-0 lead in the second half to erase the lead and then some.
Penn State double-teamed Northwestern’s Boo Buie, but it was his facilitation that was the key though he did manage 17 points in the contest.
Buie’s game-high eight assists helped Northwestern get others on the board in a big way resulting in Brooks Barnhizer’s career-high 23 points.
It was a frustrating result for a Penn State group who did its part in limiting Buie’s damage on the stat sheet
ACE IN THE HOLE
Buie was unable to score at will due to the defensive play of Ace Baldwin who not only limited Buie, but also had eight steals.
Penn State forced a season-high 18 Northwestern turnovers while scoring 19 points off those turnovers.
It wasn’t a complete performance by Penn State, but it’s proven they can play with some of the upper-tier Big Ten teams, though, a date with Purdue awaits them Saturday.
