Patrick Chambers ejected from Penn State’s blowout loss to No. 6 Michigan State
Penn State coach Patrick Chambers was ejected in the first half, and the Nittany Lions fell 88-57 to No. 6 Michigan State at the Breslin Center on Sunday.
After Penn State’s Brandon Taylor was called for a foul while working for position on the offensive end, Chambers argued the call and was ejected after picking up two technicals with 4:53 left in the half. Michigan State led by 17 points at the time, took a 25-point lead into halftime and cruised to the victory.
“We’re trying to buck the system of being the brunt of everybody’s jokes,” Chambers said. “So we’re going to fight, players are going to fight.”
Michigan State shot 44.4 percent from the field, while Penn State shot 32.2 percent from the field. The Spartans recorded 22 assists on 28 field goals, and they finished 22 for 33 from the foul line.
Shep Garner paced Penn State (15-14, 6-10 Big Ten) with 22 points on 7 for 18 shooting. Payton Banks had 12 points and Devin Foster added 11. Taylor, who came into the game averaging a team-high 16.6 points per game, fouled out of the game and finished with two points on 1 for 6 shooting.
Denzel Valentine led Michigan State (24-5, 11-5) with 19 points, Bryn Forbes and Deyonta Davis each had 15. Matt Costello had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Spartans, who have won four straight games.
The 31-point loss snapped Penn State’s three-game winning streak.
“We were hopeful to put up a fight at least,” Chambers said. “And, we didn’t do that.”
After a cold start, Michigan State hit 12 of its final 15 shots of the first half.
The Spartans hit five straight field goals, capped by a Forbes’ 3-pointer, to turn a five-point lead into a 19-point advantage. Michigan State continued to roll and held a 35-18 lead when Chambers was ejected.
“I love it when Coach comes out and battles for us,” Garner said. “That’s what he does. He puts his neck on the line.”
Penn State associate head coach Keith Urgo led the team for the remainder of the game. The Nittany Lions trailed 52-27 at halftime.
Penn State’s bench was assessed a technical with 15:43 left.
Michigan State led by as many as 35 points in the second half.
“Michigan State is playing at an incredible level,” Chambers said.
Notes: In addition to Taylor, Jordan Dickerson and Donovon Jack fouled out Sunday. Dickerson did not score in 18 minutes, and Jack had two points in 11 minutes. Dickerson and Jack each had two blocks. … The Nittany Lions went 10 for 37 (27 percent) on shot attempts inside the arc. … Taylor’s two points matched a season-low. He had scored in double figures in 16 straight games. … Penn State finished 10 for 19 from the free-throw line. The Nittany Lions attempted two free throws in the first half. … Penn State finishes the regular season with two home games this week, taking on Northwestern at 9 p.m. Thursday and Illinois at noon Sunday.
This story was originally published February 28, 2016 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Patrick Chambers ejected from Penn State’s blowout loss to No. 6 Michigan State."