Usually when a player takes a game over, it is only in one aspect of that game whether it be offensively or defensively.

Brandon Watkins, however, was dominant on both sides of the floor for Penn State in their 66-63 loss to Wisconsin. Watkins scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists leading the Nittany Lions in each category. Not to be overshadowed by his impressive offensive performance is the stellar defense he played. He clamped down on Wisconsin guard Travon Davis who shot just 1-for-6 from the floor and could manage just one assist. Watkins and backcourt mate Sharif Chambliss combined to hold the duo of Davis and Devin Harris to 1-for-13 from the floor.

This game looked like it would get away from the Lions as the Badgers led 42-25 with 16:40 remaining. But, the junior guard would then score nine points over the next 8:30, including three assists in that stretch to cut the lead to 50-46. At one point Watkins either scored or assisted on 16 straight Lion points. Many of the Lions' buckets came in the transition game off of Badgers' turnovers or misses.

"If we keep them from making their shots and we get the ball and go I think were a very good transition team," Watkins said. "I like to push ball. If we can get that going it's definitely a good game for us."

His offensive game would then go on a little hiatus until the 32 second mark when Watkins drew a foul while fighting for an offensive rebound which led to two made foul shots that cut the lead to 64-60.

Then after a Chambliss steal and outlet pass, the Illinois native hit his biggest shot of the contest, a three-point basket with 17 seconds remaining, to cut the lead to 64-63.

Watkins had the ball in his hands for the final shot, but dropped off a pass to Tyler Smith for the game-tying three-point shot that fell short.

Watkins was instrumental in not only resurrecting his own offensive game, but also bringing Jamaal Tate's game back to life. Tate made two three-pointers both coming on passes from Watkins, one at the end of the first half and one in the middle of a 21-8 run. These were Tate's first field goals since Jan. 2 against Michigan.

"I've been talking with Jamaal over the last couple of days," Watkins said. "I told him no matter what happens over the course of a game or practice you have to keep your head up. Things don't always go the way you want them to but you gotta keep your head up and fight through adversity and I thought he did a great job today."