The Nittany Lions (11-13, 3-11 Big Ten) got their first win since Jan. 23, against Illinois, and their first-ever victory at Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers, meanwhile, have lost two in a row after last Tuesday's 82-69 loss at Michigan State.

The Lions got a boost off the bench in the first half from guard Greg Grays, who scored 11 of his 14 points in the first half, including going 3 of 3 from behind the 3-point arc. Overall, Penn State went 8 for 11 in the first half from 3-point range.

Despite leading most of the way, the game came down to free throws. The Lions won the battle at the line by shooting 74 percent from the charity stripe compared to the Boilermakers' 47 percent (9 of 19), far below their 72-percent team average for the season.

"Free-throw shooting is an individual thing you have to practice," Purdue coach Gene Keady said. "We were fourth in the nation last year in free-throw shooting. If I could find an answer for this performance I would have to give one answer -- it would be not focused to play the game."

The starting five for the Lions, however, were focused to play, especially point guard Dan Earl, who finished with a team-high 18 points.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock and it was apparent his team would win for just the second time in the last 12 games, Earl looked and realized he really didn't feel any differently.

"I go into every game expecting to win," Earl said. "And this feeling that I have now is more normal than absolute excitement. This is one win for us. It's frustrating looking back on some things, but we can still do amazing things with the season."

Purdue was led by junior guard Jaraan Cornell, who was last week's co-Big Ten Player of the Week after leading the Boilermakers to back-to-back victories by scoring a combined 44 points, including a career-high 30 against Illinois.

Cornell kept the Boilermakers in the game, tallying a game-high 24 points, 13 coming in the first half. Cornell went 8 for 18 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3-point range.

Purdue also received help from junior forward Brian Cardinal, who finished with 19 points.

"They are definitely their two best players," said Lions guard Joe Crispin (13 points). "Cornell is a very good scorer and in working himself to get open, and Cardinal just goes after people and offensively he can shoot the ball, especially from the outside."

The Lions' time to enjoy this win is short, for on Wednesday they will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face the Wolverines before closing the regular season next Saturday at the Jordan Center against Ohio State.