Penn State forward DeRon Hayes loves to have the ball in the final minutes of close games. And, more often than not, he gets it.

In a game against Rhode Island, he hit all 11 of his free-throw attempts, setting a new Penn State Atlantic 10 record and sealing an 83-65 victory. In a 79-78 loss to Rutgers last week, Hayes hit a career-high 23 points and tied the game with a 10-foot jumper in the final minute.

Last week in the Lions' biggest win of the season at West Virginia, Hayes hit a baseline jumper with 39 seconds left to give the Lions the road victory.

Not bad for the guy who scored only 17 points in his first three games at Penn State.

Now, in only his second year starting, Hayes has developed into the "go-to man" of sorts for Coach Bruce Parkhill.

Although not a typical situation for a sophomore, being called on to deliver in the clutch suits Hayes just fine -- it's a scenario that's not far from his mind.

"I love those situations," Hayes said. "It's the best time of the game because everyone's keying on you and if you make the basket you make them look bad -- I like that."

Against Rutgers especially, all I was thinking about was getting the ball. I think about those situations all the time. Maybe we're down by one and I get fouled -- that's how I'd like to win it."

Hayes' metamorphosis from a quiet, first-year contributor to the Lions' leading scorer this season comes as no surprise to his coach.

"Last year, I would have been surprised," Parkhill said. "But after what he did for us last season, I'm not surprised at all.

"He hit some big shots for us down the stretch last season. He evolved into a very confident player and we sort of expected that he would come back and do the same this year."

High expectations have always followed the 6'6" Hayes. The Lakeland, Fla., native was listed as one of the top 125 high school performers in the 1987-88 season by Eastern Basketball magazine. As a senior at Kathleen High School, Hayes earned honorable mention All-America honors, averaging 21 points per game.

Hayes was a medical redshirt at Penn State in 1988 after fracturing a bone in his foot three days before the Lions' opening game. During that time, he learned the system and prepared for the 1989-90 campaign.

"I thought I could come in and contribute after my first year because, from sitting back and watching everyone else, I saw I needed to work on a lot of things," Hayes said. "I matured in my all-around game."

After a rough start, Hayes elevated his play in 1989 and provided a spark for the Lions' 25-9 season. Benefitting from the play of teammate Ed Fogell, Hayes developed into a more dedicated performer throughout the season.

"He gave 100 percent on every play. He was all smiles the whole time, even during our roughest times," Hayes said of the former Penn State center. "He had something burning inside -- that kind of helped and inspired me."

Hayes earned A-10 Freshman-of-the-Year honors. He averaged 9.6 points per game, shot 51.6 percent from the floor and hauled down 176 rebounds.

Coming off that promising season, Hayes assumed more responsibility in the Lions' scoring scheme, a role he was prepared to accept.

"I knew I couldn't let myself down and stay on one level. I wanted to get better and improve on everything," Hayes said. "This year, I feel free and confident. Now I'm thinking of every game as a pick-up game -- I go out there and have fun."

Hayes has answered, stepping up his game and becoming more creative with the basketball. A running jump shot cutting across the lane to the top of the key remains his patent shot. He also poses a dangerous threat from the baseline.

Hayes has become the Lions' main scoring threat, the high scorer in eight games this year. Hayes averages over 11 shots per game, almost three more than the nearest Lion teammate. Hayes is averaging 15.7 points per game, shooting 53 percent from the floor.

For most of his Penn State career, Hayes has been an impact player. But after the Lions' Jan. 5 loss at Rhode Island, he decided that his impact needed to be much greater.

The contest with the Rams marked the first game this season that Hayes did not reach double figures in scoring. After he was outmuscled by the Rams' defense, Hayes resolved to assert himself inside and add a more agressive style to his finesse outside shooting.

"That game really hit me hard. I wasn't playing real tough and they were pushing me around -- it kind of woke me up," Hayes said. "I was real mad and it made me change my game a little."

Since the game in Kingston, R.I., Hayes has been averaging 16.5 points per game. His added production has come largely by sprinkling spats of inside penetration into his offensive repertoire.

The occasional inside game has added points to his game as well as trips to the foul line. Hayes has gone to the charity stripe 93 times, sinking 75 percent of his attempts.

"In the past I never went to the foul line," Hayes said. "Now, I'm trying to drive more and go to the basket. I try to score and if I get fouled that's just easy points."

Although Hayes is emerging as one of the Lions' key performers, he admits he has a lot to learn.

"You can say what you want to say as long as you do it on the court," Hayes said with a smile. "That's why I keep quiet."