Ohio State was as generous as the March of Dimes, rewarding Penn State (8-5, 2-0 Big Ten) with 32 attempts from the charity stripe, while the Buckeyes (8-7, 0-2) were hindered by a cold streak from three-point range, where they missed on all 13 of their attempts. They also spent much less time at the free throw line, making seven of just eight attempts.
This is Penn State's first 2-0 start in conference play since the 1995-1996 season, when the Lions went to the NCAA tournament.
According to Penn State men's basketball coach Ed DeChellis, the Lions have recently bonded as a team in the wake of DeForrest Riley-Smith's departure.
"Sometimes less is more, and we've talked to certain guys about stepping up," DeChellis said. "They've kind of meshed and molded themselves into a solid unit."
Penn State pulled away at the onset of the second half, assembling a 14-2 run fronted by leading scorer Marlon Smith and Robert Summers, who finished with eight rebounds and seven points. Smith combined with Luber to outscore Ohio State's backcourt 32-8, with Smith contributing 23 points to that total.
Ohio State men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien blamed his team's misfortune on wasted opportunities.
"When we have 19 turnovers and we only get to the free throw line eight times, and we go 0-for-13 on threes, where do you think the points are going to come from?" O'Brien asked, hoarse and weary from the preceding disappointment.
Jan Jagla added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Lions, while Aaron Johnson contributed 12 points and six rebounds. According to Johnson, Penn State's mentality has changed.
"Last year it was more individual than a team effort," Johnson said. "We can't get cocky, we need to stay humble and stay together. I hope people keep talking trash on us. ... We're not just a walk-through anymore."
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