Penn State 72, Michigan 74: Almost…

Key Highlights

• Early turnovers, an uncharacteristic lack of effort, and a likewise uncharacteristic Nittany Lion effort on the glass had Penn State up four by the first media timeout. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll good things must come to an end, however.
• By the 10-minute mark in the first half, Michigan finally took control of the game, and, after an all-too-familiar cold stretch by the Lions, a 6-point lead evaporated and quickly turned into a 5-point deficit. Penn State would continue to fight for the rest of the half, but Michigan just kept pushing and pushing.
• The 5-point deficit turned into 7 by the U8 media timeout, and as the Lions continued to miss shots, the Wolverines started making them.
• They also stopped turning the ball over, which made life even harder for a team that had seven of its 17 points on Michigan turnovers. After Michigan opened up a 10-point lead, Penn State was actually able to get it back to single digits before the half.
• In the second, however, Michigan finished what they started halfway through the first. The pace picked right up in the second half, which favored the Lions as Michigan continued to turn the ball over, until they didn’t.