EAST LANSING, Mich. —
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive.
Draymond Green had 23 points and
12 rebounds and made some timely shots to help No. 11 Michigan State beat Penn State 77-57 on Wednesday night.
Nittany Lions coach Patrick Chambers was not encouraged that his team didn’t go away easily when it looked like the Spartans were going to be able to coast for the last 10 minutes of the game.
“It’s a 40-minute game the last time I check-ed,” he said.
The last-place Nittany Lions (10-15, 2-10 Big Ten) have lost five straight and eight of nine.
“We compete for stretches, but we need to compete for 40 minutes,” Chambers said. “We need to do that soon and time is running out.”
Tim Frazier scored 19 on 6-of-18 shooting for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State posed a brief threat by pulling within five points midway through the second half, but Green made a layup on the next possession.
Frazier later made a jumper to make it 55-49, but the Nittany Lions couldn’t stop Green from making a three-point play on the next trip down the court with 7:03 left in the game.
“Coach Izzo did a great job. He got the ball to Draymond Green,” Chambers said. “We couldn’t defend him.”
The Spartans closed the game with a 22-8 run, restoring the rout and improving to 15-0 at home this season.
Reserve Jermaine Marshall scored 12 and Nick Colella added nine points for the Nittany Lions.
Michigan State (19-5, 8-3) is a game behind Big Ten-leading and third-ranked Ohio State, setting up a big game Saturday on the road against the Buckeyes.
Adreian Payne matched a career high with 12 points and freshman Branden Dawson also had 12, scoring in double figures for the fifth straight game, for the Spartans.
Penn State, which has lost all seven of its road conference games, got off to an awful start and finished poorly.
The Nittany Lions missed their first eight shots and needed nearly 8 minutes to score, but didn’t trail by too much because the Spartans also started 0-for-8 before beginning to make shots to build a 9-0 lead.
Michigan State led 33-19 at halftime despite making just
27 percent of its shots and turning the ball over 10 times because Penn State shot 21 percent and had nine turnovers.
The Spartans were effective early in the second half on offense but later let the Nittany Lions score 10 straight points.
Green played a big role in dashing Penn State’s hopes with shots, assists, rebounds and defense.
Michigan State’s Keith Appling had 10 points and seven assists.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Penn State’s Ross Travis (43), Michigan State’s Adreian Payne (center) and Penn State’s Jon Graham (25) battle for a rebound during the first half of Wednesday’s game in East Lansing, Mich. Al Goldis
Discussion
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
- Sports
-
-
Pirates promote prospect, send down Navarro
The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled infielder Jordy Mercer from Triple-A Indianapolis and have optioned infielder Yamaico Navarro to their Triple-A affiliate.
-
Hunting licenses to go on sale June 11
Hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2012-13 seasons will go on sale June 11, according to Carl G. Roe, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s executive director.
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
-
2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
-
AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. - More Sports Headlines
-
Pirates promote prospect, send down Navarro
Mets host Banner Day at Citi
Barfly: Analyzing African American QBs
Barfly: Combating Concussions
Barfly: To sue, or not to sue
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Kendall: Indy 500 recap
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Montero signs extension
On the Record: Anna Tunnicliffe
Highlights: History 300
NASCAR on FOX: Charlotte preview
Devils head to the Stanley Cup Finals
French Open Preview: Women's draw
French Open Preview: Men's draw
Controversial Show Offers Alternative Listening for Women During Stanley Cup Finals
Tebow Teased by Jets Teammates Over Virginity, Lolo Jones
Jets learn Sparano's offense
1st Inning: Hakeem Nicks
Tweet Talkback: Brandon Jennings
QB Kafka gaining valuable experience
