PENN STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL

Nittany Lions give fans show

Jeff Rice

UNIVERSITY PARK — Talor Battle hates to lose, even if it’s to his own teammates.

CDT/Nabil K. Mark

Tim Frazier dunks the ball during the Penn State basketball scrimmage dunk contest October 17, 2009. CDT/Nabil K. Mark

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But Penn State’s point guard couldn’t lead the White squad over the Blue during an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday for fans in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Behind some long-range shooting from Chris Babb and Jermaine Marshall, Blue won 29-21 during a short scrimmage that came at the end of a spirited practice.

“We only lost like once during practice,” said Battle, fighting a smile and pointing out that he sat out the last four minutes to rest a minor ankle injury. “That’s the end, they can have that.”

Several hundred fans got their first look at Nittany Lion freshmen Tim Frazier, Bill Edwards, Sasa Borovnjak and Marshall, who held their own against and alongside veterans Battle, Chris Babb, David Jackson, Andrew Jones and Jeff Brooks.

“I’m happy for the guys,” Battle said. “I think a lot of people played well and a lot of people were competing. This was big for them. They got a lot to show Coach (Ed DeChellis).”

Cammeron Woodyard defeated Edwards in the final round to win the 3-point shooting contest and Frazier narrowly edged Jones in the dunk contest. The 6-foot-1 freshman, who threw down a two-handed jam on a breakaway in the scrimmage, windmilled home a ball that he caught off the bounce to earn a score of 36 from the judges. The 6-foot-10 Jones drew points for dressing up as football coach Joe Paterno but his bland final-round dunk couldn’t score enough points to pass Frazier.

Penn State, which won the NIT last season, opened practice Friday. The Nittany Lions host Slippery Rock in an exhibition game on Nov. 6 and open the season in the Jordan Center on Nov. 13 against Penn.

“Everyone’s enthused, they’re working hard and really just getting after it,” Battle said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys, and they can really play. They’re going to have to step in and play a role and then the older guys are looking better.”