When the Penn State men's basketball team is hitting its three-point shots, the Nittany Lions are deadly.

Last night against Michigan, the Lions were ice cold from behind the arc.

But key runs, including a pair of triples from Jon Crispin helped Penn State (14-7, 4-6 Big Ten) beat the Wolverines, 77-66, in front of 9,916 in The Bryce Jordan Center.

Michigan super sophomore LaVell Blanchard, who was averaging 18.5 points per game, was held scoreless in the first half and finished with only 12 points.

The Wolverines stayed in the game thanks to 6-foot-9 junior Chris Young who used his muscle down low to lead Michigan with 17 points, as Young shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.

"We wanted to put the ball in the post," Michigan head coach Brian Ellerbe said. "We wanted to establish Josh (Asselin), Chris and Josh Moore to get the ball in the post."

With Blanchard only getting four shots in the first half, Young had to step up. Asselin contributed with nine points and eight boards for the game and Moore had four points and three rebounds in seven minutes.

More importantly for the Lions, was a technical foul Moore was charged with in the second half that ignited the crowd and made Penn State focus on winning the ballgame.

"It calmed us down," senior forward Gyasi Cline-Heard said. "We were getting a little off our game. That gave us time to sit back and focus on what we needed to do."

Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn said the keys to the Lions victory were their defense and key three-point shots — especially the pair from Jon Crispin.

The sixth-year coach said his team needed a spark because their long-range game wasn't consistent, as the Lions finished a dismal 3-for-13 from behind the arc.

"When the shots aren't falling for you, you still have to find a way to get it done," Dunn said. "We fed the ball inside better than we have all year. That is the story line for how we won."

Penn State senior guard Titus Ivory was one of the perimeter players who shot the ball poorly last night, shooting 0-for-6 from behind the arc and 2-for-12 from the field, but his foul shooting and intangibles helped him contribute immensely to the win.

Dunn has called Ivory the heart and soul of the Penn State men's basketball team. Ivory proved him right against the Wolverines.

The Charlotte, N.C., native was 11-for-11 from the free throw line, had nine rebounds and broke the school record with seven steals. Ivory's play, along with the inside game of Gyasi Cline-Heard who posted 21 points, were two bright spots for the Lions.

"When he's struggling, he's still a guy we need on the floor," Dunn said of Ivory. "Gyasi played very well for us. He's played very consistently the last few games on both offense and defense."

The Lions take a week break from playing, with no practice today or tomorrow, before they return to the gym to prepare for Minnesota Wednesday night.