INDIANAPOLIS -- Four years ago, Jamelle Cornley and Ron Lewis stepped off the hardwood at Brookhaven High as teammates. It was likely the last time the players' paths would cross.

But on Friday, they saw each other again -- albeit with a catch. Each was wearing a different uniform. Cornley donned blue and white, while Lewis was clad in Buckeyes' scarlet and gray.

Sure, it was the third meeting between Ohio State and the Nittany Lions. But the stakes had never been so high: win or go home. And neither athlete wanted to endure an early plane ride back.

The former teammates shared the spotlight at Conseco Fieldhouse that day. Cornley finished with a game-high 18 points; Lewis led Ohio State with 17. Lewis shot 60 percent; Cornley, 64.3 percent. Lewis tied a game-high four offensive rebounds; Cornley had the other four offensive rebounds.

"Any time you're from that type of city, you always feel like you have to prove something," said Cornley, a Columbus native. "But you have to worry about the task at hand. And that's winning the game.

"Unfortunately, today, we came up a little short."

While Lewis was in the middle of celebrating, Cornley was battling frustration. The Penn State freshman leaned backward in the locker room, bobbing his head to music played through his dark headphones.

Lewis acknowledged there was some individual competition going on -- each player wanting do outdo the other -- but quickly added that the team came first.

Lewis normally stuck to the perimeter as a 3-point specialist, while Cornley was in the post as an undersized big man. It didn't help that Big Ten Player of the Year Terence Dials routinely guarded the Lions' freshman -- Dials has about a four-inch, 30-pound advantage over the forward.

Still, Cornley, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, outmuscled the senior to the tune of 12 first-half points.

"He's from Columbus. I'm sure he has something against us," Dials said.

Cornley may have had a tougher assignment than Ohio State's key reserve, but Penn State guard Ben Luber said he wasn't surprised at his teammate's performance.

"I think he always plays well against Ohio State just because of the fact he's from Columbus. I think he feels a little disrespected from them not recruiting him, so he always plays his best against them," Luber said.

In three meetings vs. the Buckeyes this season, Cornley has recorded 14, 18 and 20 points, respectively.

Lewis approached Cornley after the game, congratulating him on another hard-fought contest. The Ohio State guard also told Cornley not to slack off over the summer since teams like OSU would be gunning for him next season.

Cornley said he's already looking forward to a rematch.

"As soon as the schedule comes out, I'll be looking for that date," he said.