Penn State Captures NIT Championship

The 2018 NIT Championship did not disappoint fans one bit. The game set a record for attendance (11,175 fans were in the building) and we were treated to a great game. The first quarter it looked like Utah was going to control and maintain the games pace and momentum as they jumped out to a 20-14 lead on 47 percent shooting from the field. Penn State looked like they were still celebrating their victory over Mississippi State and looked like they were out of it, while Utah came out ready and focused. Penn State woke up in the second quarter as they were able to outscore Utah 18-14 while shooting 46 percent from the field (57 percent from the three point line). A big part part of that as the consistent play of Sophomore forward Lamar Stephens who started to get hot and play stronger as the quarter went on. Penn State also took advantage of Utah playing without their starting center and second leading scorer David Collette who went down with 7:15 left in the quarter after being hit hard. He was escorted off the court and underwent concussion protocol (He returned briefly in the second half but was very ineffective).

The Nittany Lions Lamar Stevens enjoying the win with some hardware. Photo Jamon Bolton

The second half of the game was all Penn State as they pulled away and put the game out of reach thanks in part to a 24-14 run in the quarter as their lead swelled to as many as 16 points. Sophomore Lamar Stevens added another 14 points in the half and finished the game with 28 points consequently, being named the MVP of the tournament. He showed flashes of brilliance which bold well for the future of Penn State Basketball. Sophomore Guard Tony Cobb, who is the teams leading scorer did not particularly have a great shooting game as he went 5-16 from the field but he showed why he is a NBA prospect with his all around brilliance. Cobb finished the game with 15 points, 14 assist and 9 rebounds narrowly missing out on a triple double and he only turned the ball over 1 time which is impressive for someone that played 39 minutes. Cobb was named to the All NIT team along with teammate and tournament MVP Lamar Stevens.

Celebrating the school’s first NIT Championship since 2009. Photo Jamon Bolton

Utah was led by Sedrick Barefield who scored 22 points for the Utes, Including 14 in the first half. He averaged 15.8 during the NIT and was named to the all tournament team along with Justin Bibbins. Bibbins who is the leading scorer for this Utah team never really got things going yesterday and had an awful shooting game going 4-12 from the field to go along with 3 turnovers. When he plays bad they never really get going and thats kind of how things went yesterday night at the Garden.

Penn State made light work of the Utah Utes to claim the 2018 NIT Championship. Photo USA Today

Penn State showed everyone that they should’ve been in the NCAA tournament, but sometimes things do not go as planned. They have some solid building build blocks with Lamar Stephens and Tony Cobb only being sophomore. Next season could be special but who knows what will happen if the NBA comes calling for theses young men. Cobb was considered a borderline first round pick and after last night and his spectacular run Stevens might test the waters as well. The Nittany Lion faithful should expect some great things to happen if everyone decides to come back and make one last run. This NIT championship should be a sign of things to come.

Cover Photo: RoarLionsRoar.com

Penn State Captures NIT Championship

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