How a big 2nd half by Lamar Stevens helped power Penn State basketball over Alabama
Penn State walked out of the Bryce Jordan Center with a win Saturday afternoon against Alabama after a slow start to the game. The Nittany Lions beat the Crimson Tide 73-71 in the contest and were fueled in the second half by an impressive performance by senior forward Lamar Stevens.
The Nittany Lions started the game slow and didn’t show much energy until late in the first half. They struggled to make shots and maintain possession with several of their open looks coming up short and their passes missing the mark. A quick eight points by redshirt senior guard Curtis Jones Jr. in the last three minutes of the first half kept Penn State afloat, and only down four as it went into the break.
The offense came out with a much better showing in the second half, especially from beyond the arc. The Nittany Lions made only 4-of-17 3-pointers in the first half, but made 4-of-10 in the second half to help get the offense going in the second half.
Ultimately, Stevens made the difference with 13 second-half points.
Penn State (9-2) now has six wins against KenPom top 100 teams on the season after the win over Alabama (4-5). KenPom uses adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency metrics to rank Division I basketball teams.
Player of the game
Lamar Stevens: There were several options here, with different players carrying the Penn State offense at different points in the game. But Stevens gets the nod with his run coming at a crucial time for the Nittany Lions. The senior forward finished the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals, and was Penn State’s best player on both ends of the floor.
His offense in the second half gave the Nittany Lions the lead but his defensive impact may have been more important. Stevens had two crucial blocks in the second half to give Penn State momentum and bring the Bryce Jordan Center crowd to life. His effort and energy on both ends of the floor set the tone for Penn State and helped carry the team to a victory.
Turning point
Lamar Stevens scores 9-of-11 for Penn State: The Nittany Lions struggled to find offensive success in the game, but fortunately for them, Stevens was ready to save the day in the second half. From when there was 8:47 left in the half until there was 4:17 left, Stevens scored 9 of Penn State’s 11 points to help give them a 68-63 lead. He used his strength and athleticism to get to the rim and finish through contact during the run, and hit two key mid-range jumpers to get the team some much-needed momentum.
Stat of the game
19 fast-break points for Penn State: Penn State’s aggression with the ball played a major role in the team’s comeback effort Saturday afternoon. The team was at its best when it was pushing the ball in transition and using its energy and athleticism to beat the Crimson Tide down the court. The team’s quickened pace in the second half helped the crowd reignite with energy after several fast breaks and emphatic plays in transition.
Alabama generally succeeds with an up-tempo attack but Penn State was able to limit the Crimson Tide from that standpoint too, only allowing five fast break points in the game. The game was much closer than it was projected to be, but the Nittany Lions did a good job of utilizing its strengths to turn it in their favor and earn a victory against their last top-100 opponent in non-conference play.
Quotables
Penn State senior forward Lamar Stevens on going cold
“I just believe in the work that I put in. I remember the Georgetown game I came to the bench and I was really upset because I was playing horrible. I remember (assistant) coach (Jim) Ferry telling me. ‘It’s okay you’re not gonna suck all game.’ That kind of stuck with me. I always say that. There’s no way I’m gonna suck all game because I work too hard. I just have a lot of confidence in myself and the work that I put in.”
Alabama head coach Nate Oats on Penn State
“Coach Chambers has got this program up where he wanted it to (be). I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re in the top 25 come Monday ... I think they’re pretty good on both sides of the ball ... Penn State’s a real quality team. They’re going to be in the top half of the Big Ten in my opinion. We saw what they did to Maryland earlier in the week. They’re good.”
Up next
Central Connecticut: Penn State will get a win in its next game. They’re set to take on the Central Connecticut Blue Devils on Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Nittany Lions are projected to win 90-54 over the Blue Devils and have a 99.9% chance of earning the victory, according to KenPom. Central Connecticut is the No. 350 team in Division I basketball according to the site. That’s out of 353.
Alabama will head to Birmingham for their next game, a road matchup with Samford. The Crimson Tide are projected to beat the Bulldogs, 79-76, according to KenPom.
