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Penn State notches crucial win over Illinois: BWI Photos

nate-mug-10.12.14by: Nate Bauer02/15/23NateBauerBWI
penn-state-notches-crucial-win-over-illinois
Penn State point guard Jalen Pickett eclipsed 2,000 career points in the win over Illinois. (Daniel Althouse/BWI)

Penn State did more than it needed against Illinois. And that was quite a bit.

Taking on the Illini on Tuesday night at the Bryce Jordan Center, the Nittany Lions’ postseason aspirations had no more room to spare. Not only securing a win and opening the door to an intriguing final five-game stretch to the regular season, Penn State also unloaded one of its best offensive performances of the season.

At the heart of it, point guard Jalen Pickett led the way. His 41 points now stand tied for third all-time for single-game scoring performances at Penn State. And, with eight assists, he also helped facilitate a night in which the Nittany Lions connected on 58 percent of their shots from the floor.

Here’s a look back at the action from Penn State’s 93-81 win from BWI photographer Daniel Althouse.

Camren Wynter scored four points on 2-of-3 shooting.
Andrew Funk sent home 4-of-10 shots from the floor for 10 points.
Jalen Pickett had a career night, scoring 41 points on 15-of-20 shooting.
Pickett limited his turnovers in the win to just two against eight assists.
Pickett drew favorable matchups off switches all night.
Kanye Clary provided a spark off the bench offensively, scoring 12 points while getting to the free throw line twice.
Pickett found the free throw line for six attempts Tuesday night, hitting all.
Brad Underwood said his Illini team didn’t fight against Penn State.
Seth Lundy scored 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including a 3-of-6 clip from deep.
Lundy also notched seven rebounds, a team-high.
Kebba Njie scored three points and secured five rebounds.
Micah Shrewsberry’s team improved to 15-11 overall, 6-9 B1G, with the win.
Pickett made 5-of-9 3-point attempts.
Evan Mahaffey scored three points and grabbed three rebounds in seven minutes.
Clary also knocked down a 3-point shot.
Myles Dread connected on 1-of-3 3-pointers for the night, also grabbing a rebound.
Kebba Njie

Penn State’s next steps

The win improved Penn State to 15-11 for the season with a 6-9 mark against Big Ten competition.

It also leaves a glimmer of hope for the Nittany Lions’ postseason aspirations.

Next facing Minnesota in Minneapolis on Saturday, Penn State will get the league’s last-place team. The Nittany Lions will follow it back on the road against the 13th-place program, 3-11 Ohio State.

Then, they’ll close the season with games against Rutgers at the BJC on Feb. 26 (BTN), travel to Northwestern on March 1 (9 p.m., BTN), and close the regular season against Maryland at home on Sunday, March 5 (noon, BTN).

With the win, Penn State improved to 48th in the updated KenPom and 61st in the NET.

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