Ballo, Mgbako Lead Hoosiers To Road Big Ten Win Over Penn State

Source: Mitchell Layton / Getty

PHILADELPHIA, PA.–The Indiana Hoosier men’s basketball team picked up their fourth straight win and knocked off the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Palestra Sunday afternoon 77-71.

The win pushes Indiana’s record to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. Penn State drops to 12-3 on the year and is now 2-2 in Big Ten play.

The Hoosiers didn’t have their leading scorer Malik Reneau who had to miss the game with a leg injury. Oumar Ballo stepped up for Indiana with 25 points and 13 rebounds while making seven of his 11 shots.

With the game tied at 29 at halftime, Mackenzie Mgbako scored the first eight points of the second half to push the lead to 37-29. The Hoosiers eventually led by as many as 16 at 61-45 before Penn State roared back to cut the deficit down to 2.

Mgbako (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) made two free throws and then Myles Rice (9 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) sunk two more free throws to seal the victory for Indiana.

The Hoosiers were 2 of 11 from three-point range in the first half, but made 7 of 12 three-pointers in the second half. Luke Goode was Indiana’s third double figure scorer with 12 points.

The game featured six ties and three lead changes, but Indiana led the entire second half.

Penn State’s leading scorer was Nick Kern who had 21 points.

Indiana’s next game is against USC (9-5, 1-2 in Big Ten) on Wednesday at 7 pm. Pregame coverage starts at 6 pm on 93.1 WIBC. Ballo, Mgbako Lead Hoosiers To Road Big Ten Win Over Penn State