Penn State started the game playing superb defense, forcing six turnovers on DePaul’s opening nine possessions, and nailing their shots on the other end (including a pair of three-pointers from Josh Reaves), the Nittany Lions raced out to an 11-0 lead in the game’s first four minutes.  It looked like Penn State was going to run away with this game.

Eventually, DePaul realized that Mike Watkins wasn’t out there on the floor and took full advantage of Penn State in the paint, scoring at will on the inside.  Led by the backcourt of Max Strus and Devin Gage who scored 21 and 14 points respectively, along with forward Femi Oloujobi coming off the bench to score 13, the Blue Demons grabbed the lead late in the first half and only relinquished it briefly a couple of times in the second half.

The game was tied and still winnable at the end of regular time when PSU would get a steal on DePaul’s final possession, but Rasir Bolton missed the contested layup, sending the game into overtime.   In OT, the absence of Mike Watkins and John Harrar (who had fouled out) became very apparent as DePaul put up largely uncontested shots right at the hoop.  Penn State kept it close but in the end, DePaul's inside game was the deciding factor.

Lamarr Stevens had 25 for the night.  Myles Dread put in 19 and Josh Reeves contributed 13.

Key learning from this game:  It will be a long season for us if Watkins does not come back.  We will get bullied inside the paint.