The breakout performances from a few freshmen and Aaron Johnson's record-setting rebound display in the Nittany Lions' game against Western Carolina were nowhere to be found in yesterday's 63-43 loss to South Carolina State.

The wear and tear of three games in three days proved to be a factor as the Lions struggled to pull it together against the MEAC preseason favorite. The tired legs produced short shots and 13 turnovers in the fifth-place game of the Black Coaches Association Classic.

"We had no legs," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said afterward on the Penn State Radio Network.

"We were just effortless. It wasn't just one guy. It was the whole group collectively."

Perhaps the difference maker in the game came in the rebound department. Aside from being outnumbered 41-21 on the boards, Penn State (1-2) allowed the South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-1) to grab more offensive rebounds than the 16 the Lions had on the defensive glass.

Allowing 19 second chances on the offensive end is something this team, which doesn't utilize a center in its starting lineup, can't afford. Considering center Kevin Fellows played just four minutes and center John Kelly did not see time, forward Johnson is responsible for the bulk of the rebounding duties. The junior led the Lions with eight rebounds and 13 points.

Penn State held the lead just once in the game, at the six-minute mark. The Lions trailed by eight at the half and went on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to three. Five minutes into the second half, South Carolina State built a 10-point lead and never let Penn State back in the game.

"I'm not sure we had the respect we needed for this team," DeChellis said. "[South Carolina State players] in the post were very good and were drivers and could score."

The two Bulldog forwards were responsible for a combined 30 points, and freshman guard Derrick Davis scored 14 points.

Johnson and forward Travis Parker were the only two Penn State players to reach double figures in scoring against the Bulldogs after five Lions scored double digits against Western Carolina.

Fatigue seemed to take its toll on Penn State, particularly freshman guard Geary Claxton. He recorded just four points after averaging 13 points per game in his first three starts. Claxton and freshman guard Danny Morrissey combined for only 11 points yesterday as opposed to the 26 they scored against Western Carolina on Monday.

Although the BCA Classic allowed DeChellis to let the freshmen get their feet wet and test the depth of the Lion squad, the performance the team turned in yesterday was not what he had in mind.

"This is the most disappointing thing I been through in for a while," he said. "When you play like this it gives you a negative taste in your mouth."