NCAAB Game Recap - Bucknell at Penn State
Tue Nov 19, 2019 6:30 PM EST

ETSU
63
Kansas
75
F
Fairf
55
MD
74
F
Vermt
55
UVA
61
F
TexAr
66
Gonz
72
F
Maine
53
Wash
72
F
(N/A)
77
ChiSt
89
F
(N/A)
52
Morg
88
F
Buck
70
PSU
98
F
(N/A)
52
Albany
78
F
(N/A)
59
Dart
108
F
Del
79
StFPA
64
F
Penn
75
Lafy
86
F
Norf
57
Brad
69
F
UMBC
50
LSU
77
F
Brown
63
SacHr
84
F
NCC
60
YSU
66
F
(N/A)
56
W MI
102
F
Boston
78
SouthCar
70
F
Nich
65
URI
70
F
(N/A)
56
Prov
93
F
Alc
64
NCSU
87
F
(N/A)
53
UNCW
113
F
Charl
76
Marsh
66
F
Navy
48
Lib
55
F
IPFW
68
Kent
75
F
LoyMD
61
GMas
65
F
Mercer
88
GaSo
98
F
(N/A)
63
E KY
99
F
NebOm
68
Dayt
93
F
Nev
71
David
91
F
FIU
107
Clev
61
F
UNH
77
CenCT
63
F
NE
101
HolyC
44
F
MsVl
43
LaTec
76
F
Citad
74
SEMO
69
F
Manh
57
Samf
70
F
LACol
60
NWSt
67
F
Seatt
52
Miss
65
F
USM
45
IaSt
73
F
UND
70
WIMil
79
F
GWebb
52
WichSt
74
F
SprH
72
USA
98
F
Hou
97
Rice
89
F
(N/A)
60
ORU
73
F
Radf
67
NW
56
F
TN-M
67
NrthIA
87
F
NCAT
60
N TX
80
F
SIU
66
Murr
79
F
ArkPB
51
KSU
62
F
TXSo
51
Ark
82
F
Furm
73
Bama
81
F
N AL
73
SDSt
78
F
Pepp
84
USC
91
F
Detr
49
Wyo
76
F
(N/A)
50
Web
130
F
NM
63
UTEP
66
F
MTSt
56
GrCan
69
F
MD-ES
55
Stan
76
F
NDdN
54
SCla
101
F
CSBak
70
USF
100
F
Copp
60
Pacif
64
F

Nov 19, 2019, 6:30 PM EST

Final

1

2

T

Bucknell

42

28

70

Penn State

45

53

98

Stevens' big second half propels Penn State over Bucknell
Tue Nov 19, 2019 9:33 PM

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Lamar Stevens didn’t like the pace Penn State was playing at early on Tuesday, so the Nittany Lion forward took it upon himself to speed things up.

Stevens scored 21 of 27 points in the second half and Penn State pulled away from Bucknell 98-70 on Tuesday after leading by only three at halftime.

“As a leader on this team, it was my job to find a way to impact the game,” Stevens said. “Whether it was scoring or defense.”

There were heavy doses of both as Stevens helped on the back end too with five of his eight rebounds coming in the defensive end.

Meanwhile, Bucknell scored just 28 second-half points as Penn State racked up five steals, forced eight turnovers and blocked four shots over the final 20 minutes.

“I thought our defense in the second half was unbelievable,” Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said.

Mike Watkins added 18 points, Myles Dread 12 and Jamari Wheeler 10 for the Nittany Lions (4-0), who have scored 80 or more points in each of their first four games - a feat no Penn State team had ever accomplished.

Andrew Funk scored 15 points while Bruce Moore notched 14 and Paul Newman and Jimmy Sotos added 10 apiece for the Bison (2-3) who trailed for all but 2:32.

“I think this has the potential to be his best team (Chambers has) had here,” Bucknell coach Nathan Davis said. “Very dynamic offensively, good size, compete defensively. So it was tough.”

Bucknell led 8-7 early but the Nittany Lions used a 17-5 run to take an 11-point lead midway through the first half. The Bison slowly chipped away at that, however with major help from Funk who made eight of Bucknell’s final 13 points to cut Penn State’s halftime lead to 45-42.

But Stevens opened the second half with 8-straight points and 15 of Penn State’s first 30. The Nittany Lions, who made 60% of their field goals on 39-for-65 shooting, went up by 20 when Myron Jones drained a jumper with 11:54 left and never looked back.

RESPECT FOR COACH

Penn State had a chance to score 100 points in a regulation game for the first time in nearly a decade, but Chambers wasn’t going to have it.

He had his players halt at midcourt as the final seconds ticked down out of respect for Davis and his team.

“I love his program,” Chambers said. “They’re a winning program. They do things the right way. It’s not the time to try to rub it in anyone’s face.”

WINNING HURTS

Wheeler has been dealing with nagging injuries and left the game at one point in the second half with what appeared to be a right leg injury.

Chambers said the speedy guard laid on a couch at halftime for a little rest, but insisted on playing.

Wheeler logged just over 24 minutes and had a moment with Chambers after the game. Looking over at Wheeler, who had ice on an elbow, leg and hip, Chambers nodded.

“I just looked at him and said, ‘Hey man, winning hurts,’” Chambers said.

THE BIG PICTURE

Bucknell: The Bison are looking to win at least a portion of the Patriot League championship for the fifth-straight season under coach Nathan Davis. They appear to have the pieces to do so despite being run ragged by Penn State’s unrelenting transition game in the second half.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions will now try for just their second 5-0 start in nine seasons with coach Patrick Chambers at the helm. The last time a Chambers-coached team started 5-0 was two seasons ago when the Nittany Lions won the NIT. This team has loftier goals, however.

UP NEXT

Bucknell visits Syracuse on Saturday.

Penn State hosts Yale on Saturday.

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More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

Leaders

Bucknell PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
A. Funk 15 0 1 2 1 0
B. Moore 14 0 1 5 1 0
Penn State PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
L. Stevens 27 0 1 8 3 1
M. Watkins 18 0 0 5 0 4

Team Comparison

Buck PSU
Points For 70 98
Field Goals 30/70-43% 39/65-60%
Three Pointers 7/27-26% 5/16-31%
Free Throws 3/5-60% 15/23-65%
Offensive Rebounds 13 12
Defensive Rebounds 18 28
Rebounds 34 44
Blocks 1 6
Steals 5 8
Turnovers 14 11
Personal Fouls 19 9
Technical Fouls 0 0
Ejections 0 0

2019-20 Reg Season - PSU Leads Series 1-0

Date Result Away Pts Ldr Home Pts Ldr
Tue Nov 19 Buck 70 @ PSU 98 A. Funk 15 L. Stevens 27

Game Information

Stadium: Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, Pennsylvania
Attendance: 6,797
Game Time: