Nittany Lions Find a Way, Knock Off Spartans 62-58

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – The Penn State Nittany Lions had lost their previous three games by a combined total of nine points to Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Tonight would not be the case as the team in blue and white overcame a 14 point deficit to defeat the 19th ranked team in the country by 4. 

Talk about a player that represents Penn State men’s basketball that is big man John Harrar. When other players such as Myreon Jones went to Florida, Jamari Wheeler to Ohio State and Izaiah Brockington to Iowa State, Harrar stayed and it’s proving to be a good decision. 

Harrar put together arguably his best performance as a Nittany Lion. Number 21 added 16 points along with 16 rebounds 6 of those coming on the offensive end. Harrar added a huge and one with 35 seconds left in the game. 

This is what Harrar had to say on his team and his new head coach Micah Shrewsberry following the departure of Patrick Chambers who coached Penn State’s leader for four seasons, “We deserved this win, we are all following Coach Shrews.”

Harrar also added a couple other notes during the post game press conference. One was that he joked about coach Shrewsberry picking up his first technical foul. It was noted that Harrar said that the coach getting the tech was a boost to his team. Also, Harrar noted that every year he has been a Nittany Lion they have had a home ranked win, this was the last chance to do so this season. It happened. 

Penn State was in desperate need for a close game win.  This game came down to the wire with Penn State taking the lead with 1:37 left in the game.  

It was a test of grit and will power for these Nittany lions after battling back from being down 14 points.  The senior Sam Sessoms was the definition of hustle tonight playing 30 minutes off the bench.

Seth Lundy led the charge for the Nittany Lions with 17 points.  Lundy started the game slow but slowly got into rhythm in the back half of the second half.

Michigan State’s leader was Julius Marble off the bench with 14.  Max Christie added 10 points as he struggled from three going 0-4 from beyond the arc.  

Micah Shrewsberry talked about the clear hero during the post-game press conference.  “John’s a warrior,” said Shrewsberry.  “He plays with pure effort and heart.”