Backpedaling past midcourt with eight minutes to play in the second half, Mike Walker and Ben Luber looked at each other and smiled as a whistle blew for a Northwestern timeout.

Luber had just fed Walker for a 3-pointer for the second time in 22 seconds, and Penn State's guards had just extended the Nittany Lions' lead to 15, which would prove more than enough to tame the Wildcats on Saturday.

Penn State's three guards -- Luber, Walker and David Jackson -- combined for 24 points and 11 assists in the 68-55 win over the Wildcats. The trio was able to exploit Northwestern's 1-3-1 zone, shooting 8-14 from the field and 4-9 from beyond the arc.

The performance was extra meaningful for Luber, who could use the confidence booster after making a poor decision at the end of Wednesday's loss at Indiana.

"It's good for Ben; it'll build up his confidence," teammate Travis Parker said. "Any time anybody plays good, they feel good about themselves."

Luber enjoyed success against the Wildcats on Jan. 11, when he tallied 13 points, 11 in the second half. The junior finished Saturday with nine points and five assists.

Penn State is 9-2 when Luber records eight points or more.

"Luber hurt us last time," Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said. "Our 1-3-1 zone has bothered a lot of people, but he's one of the few guys it hasn't bothered."

The point guard was even able to convert on a fast break lay-up attempt, something that has proven much easier said than done for Luber this season.

"Ben did a good job and was very solid with the basketball," Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "He pushed the ball, made some plays, got it into the seams, him and David both. That helps out tremendously."

Jackson, who turned his ankle midway through the second half against Northwestern, is averaging nine points over the past three games. The Lions are 6-3 when Jackson scores at least nine.

Walker, who has attempted only 45 2-point shots this year, also converted on a fast break lay-up with 6:30 to go. Making the play more impressive was that Walker grabbed the rebound on defense to start the break, was fouled on the attempt and then sank the free throw.

The Lions will need their guards to continue playing well if the team is to make a run in the Big Ten tournament late next week.

While the backcourt normally does not produce many points for Penn State, an understanding of how to share and protect the ball has contributed to the team's success in recent weeks.

The guards need not take over the game for Penn State to find success -- that's what Parker and Geary Claxton are there for.

"It's a pretty well-rounded team, guys know their roles and they execute pretty well," Carmody said of the Lions.