Joe Crispin's pinpoint shooting accuracy has been well publicized.

The hustle and determination that Titus Ivory displays game in and game out prompted Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn to call him the heart and soul of the squad.

But there is a third main ingredient to Penn State's success on the court this season. And without it, the recipe would fail.

In recent games Gyasi Cline-Heard has made a point not to be overlooked.

"Gyasi had a really good game," Dunn said, referring to Cline-Heard's 21-point effort in the 77-66 Nittany Lion win against Michigan last night. "I think he has played as consistently as any front line player all year on both ends."

Cline-Heard did most of his damage early, accounting for 17 of Penn State's 34 first- half points. As Michigan keyed on the 6-foot-8 power forward in the second half, the senior adjusted his game. He tallied two steals, one assist and one block to go with his four points in the second session to help the Lions up their Big Ten record to 4-6.

"In the first half I was making my shots so the guys kept giving me the ball," he said.

Cline-Heard took Saturday's overtime loss to Indiana especially hard, and wanted to be sure that Penn State played aggressively against the Wolverines.

"The Indiana game was very important," he said. "It really took a lot out of me. By no means were we going to underestimate this team (Michigan)."

Michigan, which entered the game tied with Penn State in the league at 3-6, played hard all night, but could not penetrate a stingy Penn State defense. They also turned the ball over 18 times.

Coach Brian Ellerbe cited Cline-Heard as a driving factor in the first half but noted that his squad gave him special attention in the second half.

"Gyasi played well in the first half," he said. "We came out and did a good job on him in the second half."

Cline-Heard found himself in an unusual position at certain points in the first half when he ended up guarding Michigan's shooting guard, last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year LaVell Blanchard. But Titus Ivory, who faced Blanchard for the majority of the night, and Cline-Heard shut out the sophomore sensation in the first half.

Blanchard, who averages 18.5 points per game, finished with just 12.

Cline-Heard acknowledged the importance of beating Michigan, especially since the Big Ten is still wide open.

"We're easily still in the hunt," he said.

Despite a stellar RPI rating that has Happy Valley hoops fans thinking March Madness, Cline-Heard isn't satisfied with the season so far.

"Right now, we're only 4-6 in Big Ten play," he said. "And that's what matters to me."