Cagers defeat Northwestern, 71-69

As bad as Penn State has played over the past few months they could always rely on Northwestern playing worse.

The Lions withstood Northwestern's two-man dynamo of senior center Evan Eschmeyer and senior guard Jevon Johnson, garnering their first Big Ten victory of the season. Eschmeyer powered his way to a career-high 30 points and 10 rebounds while Johnson tallied a career-high 24 points. Together, the two scored 54 of Northwestern's 69 points.

But it wasn't enough to quell an aggressive Lion team.

"It does feel extremely good," coach Jerry Dunn said on the Penn State radio network. "With all the things that have transpired over the week, it's good to get this one. It was a great effort on everybody's part."

Especially the fill-ins.

Wildcat coach Ricky Byrdsong must still be wondering how the Lions, without seniors Rahsaan Carlton (injury) and Phil Williams (death in family), could play with the confidence and poise of a veteran squad despite its obvious youth. Fill-in forwards Greg Stevenson, a freshman starting his third game, and sophomore Jarrett Stephens, starting his first, each held their own against a bulky Wildcat frontcourt.

With about one minute and a half remaining in the game, and the Lions clinging to a four-point lead, forward Jeremy Metzger found Stephens wide open under the basket -- so open, he could have tossed a salad or two before putting the shot up. But for some reason, Stephens missed the easy layup and Northwestern recovered the loose ball.

Seconds later, Wildcat guard Jevon Johnson did his best Geno Carlisle impression, draining a three and bringing the Lion lead to just two. After a Wildcat timeout, Penn State had its usual trouble getting its offense in sync, forcing point guard Ryan Bailey into a quick jumper that bounced left off the rim. Out of a mix of players under a rim, a long left hand emerged, which tipped Bailey's miss into the basket.

The left hand belonged to Stephens and the game belonged to the Lions.

Stephens redeemed his layup blunder and Penn State found redemption for an extremely sluggish first-half, knocking Northwestern into its customary last-place position.

Big surprise, Lion guard Pete Lisicky led the team with 24 points, 9-for-15 from the floor. Lisicky was 3-for-3 at the charity stripe, extending his consecutive free-throws made streak to 24.

The Lion frontcourt outmuscled Northwestern, taking the 31-26 rebound edge. Lion forward Jeremy Metzger was a catalyst in Penn State's run. His splendid first-half play earned him a second-half starting role. He finished with nine points, five rebounds and three points. Stevenson added four points to go with his five boards.

Newly-added defensive back-turned-point guard David Macklin sparked Penn State's first-half run. His numbers won't stand out in the statistics but his defense and athleticism spearheaded the early Lion charge.

The toughest challenge lies ahead for Penn State as Indiana, Purdue and Michigan all roll into the Bryce Jordan Center for a make-or-break three-game homestand.