In their second matchup of the season Indiana (17-2, 5-1 Big Ten) had four players score in double figures, while Penn State had almost as many players foul out.
The Nittany Lions, currently riding a seven-game losing streak, simply could not keep up with an Indiana offense that was able to manufacture run after run in a 72-49 romping in front of an electric crowd at the Hoosier’s Assembly Hall.
Despite a 7-0 run by the Hoosiers in the first three minutes of the game, the first half moved slowly with both sides struggling to find any kind of rhythm. But the below average shooting that has plagued the Lions all season, mixed with nine offensive boards and a number of second chance opportunities for the Hoosiers allowed Indiana to enter halftime with a comfortable 33-19 lead.
The home team began to open things up at the start of the second half, putting together an 8-0 just 65 seconds in to take a commanding 41-19 lead. Even after being punched in the nose to start the half the Lions managed to show fight and keep the game from really getting out of hand in early in the second half led by redshirt sophomore D.J. Newbill. However Indiana proved too much for Penn State drilling a barrage of threes finishing the game shooting 55 percent from downtown (11 for 20). Indiana got it down on both sides of the ball holding Penn State to just 33.3 (17 for 51) percent for the game and an inferior 13.2 (2 for 15) percent from three.
“They are really trying to put themselves in a place where we can really hang their hats on the defensive end," Indiana coach Tom Crean said. "The bottom line is you've gotta be able to defend."
The Lions managed to keep Hoosier’s leading scorer Tyler Zeller in check, he was held to just two points and did not hit a field goal in the game. Junior Victor Oladipo led all scorers with 19 points attacking the Lions interior and drawing fouls while sharp shooters Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell and Will Sheehy killed the Lions from behind the line finishing with 15 and 12 points respectively.
"The ball moved at a really high level,” Crean said. “It reversed. When it's moving even on that second side it gives the guys space and time."
Newbill attacked hard for the Lions even as the Lions trailed by over 20 points, finishing with 18 points but also forfeited eight turnovers. Redshirt junior Jermaine Marshall contributed 12 points but fouled out of the game with six minutes remaining. Freshman Brandon Taylor and senior Sasa Borovnjak also fouled out of the game finding themselves out of position and a step behind Indiana’s weapons.
The Lions will look to end their slump against another ranked opponent next as they prepare to take on No. 14 Ohio State at the Bryce Jordan Center, Saturday at 12 p.m.
