Penn State Men’s Basketball Falls 101-94 in Double Overtime to Clemson

Traveling deep into much warmer territory, Penn State men’s basketball fell to Clemson 101-94 in double overtime on Tuesday night, falling just short in what was ultimately a comeback effort and dropping the Nittany Lions to 6-2 on the year. Penn State trailed the Tigers by seven with 51 seconds to go before an eventual three-point shot by Andrew Funk banked in to tie the game with five seconds remaining.

The Nittany Lions were what people have come to expect from them in the first half, a hot shooting team capable of making shots from anywhere beyond the arc. In the opening 20 minutes of play Penn State shot 50% from the field and made six three-point attempts. The trio of Seth Lundy, Camren Wynter and Jalen Pickett led the charge for the Nittany Lions going a combined 11-for-16 from the field for 26 points in the first half from both deep and in the paint. The effort was good enough for Penn State to take a 35-29 lead into the half as Clemson made seven of its last 10 shots from the field to stay close with the Nittany Lions.

The second half was also a bit of what people have come to expect from Penn State as well. The shooting cooled, the Nittany Lions hitting just 31% clip from the floor while making just 3-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc. Meanwhile Clemson found its stroke, building off the end of the first half and shooting 54% from the field in the final 20 minutes of regulation. Hunter Tyson did the majority of the damage for the Tigers in the second half scoring 18 points on a perfect 6-for-6 stretch.

In turn the result was somewhat predictable. Penn State would keep things close, with Clemson never leading by double-digits, but turnovers, mistakes and missed shots plagued the Nittany Lions throughout. When it was all said and done Penn State would get just eight points from its bench and while 11 turnovers is not an incredibly bad number, Clemson would score 14 points off of those turnovers. Meanwhile 10 Clemson turnover would result in just four Penn State points.

Despite the cold shooting – Myles Dread going 0-for-6 from the field, all from beyond the arc before fouling out – Penn State still found itself within striking distance even as the Nittany Lions trailed by seven with 51 seconds to go. In those final 51 seconds Clemson would make two free throws on a night the Tigers went just 26-for-37 from the floor. Meanwhile layups and free throws in Penn State’s direction would cut the deficit to just three with seconds to go. A falling away three-pointer would bank in for Andrew Funk, who finished with 14 points, and essentially send the game into overtime. To Penn State’s credit – a team that had shot limited free throws heading into Tuesday night – shot 25-for-29 from the stripe.

In the first overtime the Nittany Lions appeared poised for the win in their own right but a Clemson layup with five seconds to go would tie the frame and Jalen Pickett’s deep three would not fall.

In the second overtime Clemson found its shot again and Penn State tired, the Nittany Lions with four players going well over 40 minutes of playing time. Penn State would get looks to keep things close, but the Tigers would make their free throws just enough to seal the deal. Clemson finished with 36 points in the pain while Penn State won on the glass 43-37.

All tallied up Penn State was led by Camren Wynter’s 26 points, while Lundy and Pickett each poured in 23 of their own. Penn State would get just 22 points from the other eight players who saw the court on Tuesday evening. The Nittany Lions return back to the Bryce Jordan Center to host Michigan State on December 7th.