Cagers improve, but can't knock off Purdue

Lisicky fails to get off three-point game winner

As the clock ran down, all eyes focused on Penn State 3-point deity Pete Lisicky. It didn't take the brilliant mind of Boilermaker coach Gene Keady or a quick timeout by Nittany Lion coach Jerry Dunn to figure out Penn State's plan.

A three would have tied the game, but Lisicky never had a chance to shoot. A botched play gave the ball back to Purdue (11-8, 6-3 Big Ten), which squeezed out a 67-62 victory and made losers out of Penn State (8-10, 1-8) for the third straight game.

It was almost expected Lisicky would come through. Saturday was one of his more productive nights. The stats say he scored just 14 points, but for the first time since last season, Lisicky didn't have to play Superman.

He didn't have run through eight screens to get a touch. He didn't have to shoot with the shot clock at two. He didn't have to account for 75 percent of Penn State's scoring.

For once, the pressure was taken away from Lisicky, as Penn State continued its steadily improving process of spreading out the offense.

Sophomore forward Jarrett Stephens led the Lions with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Freshman forward Greg Stevenson put in a solid all-around performance with five points, four rebounds, four assists and a block. Fifth-year senior Jeremy Metzger started in place of center Calvin Booth. Three of Metzger's four boards were on the offensive end.

Senior forward Rahsaan Carlton returned from his foot injury to contribute nine points, including a 3-pointer with under a minute remaining to bring Penn State within three. Phil Williams was back in State College after the death of his father. His late-game free-throw shooting gave Penn State the opportunity to trail by just three.

Even the beloved Cowbell Man was back in form, lighting up the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time this season.

"It felt good (to have depth)," Dunn said. "And I felt that the other guys could play harder and extend themselves knowing that they would have some people coming in to give them a rest."

It's a night Lisicky has probably been praying for. Offensive output by the other Lions gave him the best looks of the season. He didn't miss a shot until the second half and was red hot from behind the 3-point arc all night.

So with time running out, Lion point guard Ryan Bailey knew exactly what the plan was: quickly get into a half-court offense, wait for Lisicky to run through three screens, pass him the ball and . . .

That would have been the ideal situation, but nothing about Penn State's season has been ideal. Lisicky never got a chance to win or lose the game. Purdue pressure caused Bailey to pass to Lisicky before crossing halfcourt, forcing Lisicky to create his own shot.

"If I'm handling the ball, the way I'm going to get my 3-pointer is to shake and bake," Lisicky said. "I'm a better 3-point shooter coming off a screen."

Just as Lisicky crossed halfcourt, two Purdue players came to apply pressure. Lisicky stumbled with the ball and fell, leaving him few options. He could have called a timeout, passed to Bailey or heaved the ball toward the hoop and pray the outcome would result in an ESPY.

Lisicky chose option B. He had not chosen wisely. Boilermaker Chad Austin stole the forced pass, ran down the floor and converted a layup as time expired. It wasn't the play Dunn envisioned. Then again, this isn't the season Dunn envisioned.

"The play was to give the ball to Lisicky," he said. "It looked like he was trying to gather himself, but he had three guys on him. They are a very physical basketball team. I didn't expect them to come in here and play any other way."