Grays paces cagers off bench in win

By CRAIG KACKENMEISTER
Collegian Staff Writer

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Penn State men's basketball team found itself in a shooting contest with No. 21 Purdue in the first four minutes of Saturday's game, but Nittany Lions coach Jerry Dunn had the answer sitting on his bench.

With his white Nike socks pulled up over his knees and his team down 16-15, sophomore guard Greg Grays stepped onto the Mackey Arena court and proceeded to score eight straight points. He hit two 3-pointers and a jumper to give the Lions (11-13, 3-11 Big Ten) a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game.

For the third straight game, Grays has come off the bench to score in double digits. He scored all of Penn State's 13 bench points in last week's loss at Wisconsin, had 10 in last week's loss against Minnesota and finished Saturday with 14 points.

Before the Wisconsin game, the last time Grays had scored in double digits was against Ohio State Nov. 20 when he scored 10 points.

"I think I was second guessing myself throughout the beginning of the season and it's just about going out and playing the game," Grays said. "I am comfortable coming off of the bench to lead the team and give the starters a break."

Grays helped spark the Lions' air attack from 3-point range, going 3 for 3 in the first half and 4 for 5 on the day. Penn State shot just over 62 percent from long range by going 10 of 16.

Lions coach Jerry Dunn was pleased to see the young guard from Southfield, Mich., start to do what he is capable of.

"Greg played very well and made some good decisions," Dunn said. "He played good defense and made a key steal down the stretch. He's a guy that is starting to play with more confidence. And we need him to do that."

Grays must be a fan of Mackey Arena, because in the Lions' 77-55 loss to Purdue last season, the then-freshman scored 12 points.

But he hasn't just been scoring points from the outside, Grays is also known to penetrate on the drive and score.

"Greg is a very talented player," Lions small forward Titus Ivory said. "He has a lot to contribute both outside and going to the basket. When you let him go and let him do his thing, he'll produce a lot of good things for you."

Other Lions who did a lot of good things from outside the 3-point arc included Dan Earl (2 for 3), Joe Crispin (2 for 4) and Ivory (2 for 4).

Even though this was a big and long-awaited win for the Lions, Grays said he and his teammates only have one thing in their heads right now.

"We just have the Big Ten Tournament on our minds right now," he said. "It's not over for us."