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 Terrence Woodyard scored 10 points with two assists Monday versus Penn State. |
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Nov. 15, 2004
Milwaukke, Wis. - Penn State's Aaron Johnson scored 13 points and pulled down 24 rebounds to lead the Nittany Lions to a 78-63 victory over Western Carolina Monday afternoon at the Black Coaches Association (BCA) Classic, played at the Bradley Center. Johnson's 24 rebounds set a record for most boards in a BCA game.
Unlike last night, Western Carolina got off to a quick start, racing out to an 11-5 lead on the strength of a pair of Kyle Greathouse 3-pointers five minutes into the contest. However, the Nittany Lions responded with a 6-0 run to tie the contest at 11. The game remained tight until Danny Morrisey sank consecutive 3's with 8:38 left in the first half, giving PSU a 30-25 advantage. Penn State would eventually go up by as many as 11 (38-27) before the Cats closed the half with a 4-1 run, all free throws by Lunzaya Nlandu, to go into the locker room down 39-31 at the break.
Penn State was able to establish a presence in the middle in the first half, out-rebounding the Catamounts 25-17 and scoring 22 points in the paint compared to just eight by WCU.
Early in the second half, Western's Greathouse sank the fourth of his five 3-pointers to make it a seven-point game (44-37) with 16:02 remaining. However, Penn State would go on a 20-9 run over the next eight minutes, taking a 64-46 lead. The Catamounts cut its deficit to 13 (on a Trey Hopkins free throw and two David Berghoefer's field goals) with 7:30 left, but could would get no closer the remainder of the contest.
In addition to Johnson's 13 points, Morrisey chipped in 16 for Penn State, making 4-of-6 beyond the arc, while Marlon Smith, Ben Luber and Geary Claxton each scored in double figures as well. The Lions ended the contest with a 51-35 rebound advantage and sank 14-of-18 free throws.
Western Carolina struggled from the free throw line once again, missing 13 on the afternoon (11-of-24). However, in the second half, the Cats were able to out-score the Lions in the paint, out-score the Lions in points off turnovers, out-score the Lions on second-half points and out-score the Lions in fast break points.
Berghoefer, who had three steals, led WCU with 19 points and eight rebounds. Greathouse finished the game with 17 points and six assists. Terrence Woodyard added 10 points, while Rans Brempong had seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
The Catamounts will conclude the BCA Classic on Tuesday (Nov. 16) at Noon (CT), facing Jacksonville State.
