Nebraska ‘steals’ win at Penn State, breaks Big Ten skid

UNIVERSITY PARK, Penn. — Teddy Allen raced for a fastbreak layup off a steal with 12 seconds left, lifting Nebraska into a 62-61 win over Penn State on Sunday, ending the Cornhuskers string of 25 Big Ten losses that stretched back for more than a year.

After a quick timeout to set up a final play, Penn State turned it over again, this time with Trey McGowens making the steal for Nebraska as time expired. Dalano Banton made the steal that led to Allen’s game-winner as the Huskers had two takeaways in the last 20 seconds. McGowens and Banton combined for five of the Huskers seven steals.

The Huskers had not won in conference since edging Iowa 76-70 on Jan. 7, 2020.

Allen led Nebraska with 14 points. McGowens added 10 points with four assists a block and three steals. Kobe Webster scored 13 for Nebraska, which shot 48% (27 of 56).

Myreon Jones led Penn State (7-10, 4-9) with 18 points, Myles Dread added 14, tying his season best, and Izaiah Brockington 11. John Harrar pulled down 11 rebounds for the Nittany Lions, his 11th career game with 10 or more boards.

Nebraska opened the second half on a 10-3 run to take control and led for much of the second half. A scoring drought for 5-1/2 minutes allowed Penn State to catch up with 12 unanswered points to grab a 61-60 lead with 1:58 to go.

Jones hit a 3-pointer and was fouled, converting the four-point play as Penn State led for the first time since the 2:30 mark of the first half.

Nebraska missed twice from distance and things looked grim before Banton stole the ball from Jones, leading to Allen’s breakway game-winner.

Nebraska travels to College Park for a two-game series with Maryland on Tuesday and Wednesday, ending a stretch of seven games in 12 days since Feb. 6. Penn State plays host to No. 4 Ohio State on Thursday night.


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