Sure, Cornell is an Ivy League school, and everyone knows the Big Red are more concerned with flux capacitors than athletics, but Cornell is about as good as it gets when it comes to Ivy League basketball.
The Big Red are in a bit of a down year but they’ve been the Ivy representitive in the tournament three of the last four years, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010, so Penn State’s 74-67 win last night is still worth mentioning for Patrick Chambers’ rebuild.
After the game, the boys would head home for Christmas break so to go out with a win is huge with Big Ten play waiting for them when they return to Happy Valley.
Tim Frazier led the Nittany Lions in this one – surprise surprise. He registered is fourth double-double of the year with 17 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists. But he had help from Jermaine Marshall, who scored 12, and Cam Woodyard, who scored 13 off the bench.
Penn State looked like typical Penn State in the first half. The were missing shots and turning the ball over so they were lucky to head into halftime only down by one, 31-30.
The second half was a whole different story.
The Nittany Lions were NBA Jam-in’ it, going 7-14 from downtown. While the two teams battles back and forth until a seven-minute stretch half way through the half where the Lions hit six three-pointers to run away with it.
Like I said, Cornell is nothing special this year but heading into conference play at 8-5 looks a lot better than going in 7-6. Hey, they made the tournament last year after going 7-4 to start the year…just sayin’.
Penn State’s first real measuring stick will be waiting for them when the return to action on Dec. 29 at No. 19 Michigan.
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