Rec Hall crowd gives Penn State men's basketball energy boost toward upset win over Illinois
“I think the crowd definitely helped us a lot tonight … the energy, all the Penn State fans, alumni,” Nittany Lion Jameel Brown said.
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“I think the crowd definitely helped us a lot tonight … the energy, all the Penn State fans, alumni,” Nittany Lion Jameel Brown said.
While Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center might hold three times as many fans as the program’s rickety old Rec Hall, the nearly 100-year-old facility was at its atmospheric best Wednesday night — at No. 12 Illinois' expense. Zach Hicks made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-pointer with three seconds left to give Penn State a 90-89 victory over Illinois. After Illinois’ Justin Harmon missed a final layup, fans stormed the court clad in blue and white, shaking pompoms and holding giant cutouts of coach Mike Rhoades’ head.
Penn State upsets No. 12 Illinois with last-minute free throws
The Nittany Lions defeated a top-15 opponent for the second time this season.
Kern scored a career-high 22 points and Brown added 11 in the Nittany Lions upset win.