Illinois’ men’s basketball team departed Rec Hall stunned.
Moments earlier, the No. 12-ranked Fighting Illini, following a Terrence Shannon Jr. Free throw, enjoyed a 10-point lead over host Penn State with 2:30 remaining in the second half of the Big Ten matchup.
An ill-advised foul on Zach Hicks’ 3-point attempt led to the Penn State forward hitting the three-game-winning free throws with 4.2 seconds to go.
Outscored 13-2 over the final 150 seconds, the second-place Illini (19-7, 10-5) suffered a hit to their conference title hopes. They trail the Purdue Boilermakers by two games.
Celebrating “Wear White” night, the Nittany Lions (13-14, 7-9) snapped a three-game losing streak as the team played at Rec Hall for the first time since 2015.
After scoring a season-low 49 points in a loss at the Nebraska Cornhuskers last Saturday, the Nittany Lions’ offense rebounded and notched a season-high 90 points for the second time.
X (Twitter) fans responded to Penn State rallying from a 14-point, second-half deficit to claim a fourth consecutive home win over a ranked club. It was a “throwback” Wednesday …
It’s a throwback to Rec Hall for @PennStateMBB and @PennStateWBB. 🙌
They’re hooping in their old home venue – also the current home of @GoPSUsports‘ volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics teams – against highly-ranked opponents this week. @emilyehman has the info: pic.twitter.com/5TVIbhzSSb
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 21, 2024
After Hicks hit the third – and game-clinching – free throw, fans stormed the historic court, celebrating Penn State’s second top-15 win this season …
IT’S STORMING IN STATE COLLEGE ‼️@PennStateMBB takes down No. 12 Illinois. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zq0GMzJNVk
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 22, 2024
Trailing by four with 30 seconds left, Jameel Brown created a turnover and Puff Johnson converted a layup …
Penn State is within two with 30 seconds to go. 👀 pic.twitter.com/QoeHaPRFNq
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 22, 2024
Nick Kern Jr. paced Penn State with 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half …
Nick Kern Jr. was UNSTOPPABLE in the paint for @PennStateMBB! 😤 pic.twitter.com/b9KAlBn6zz
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) February 22, 2024
Before the game, the visiting Illini used the shootaround to adjust to the nearly 100-year-old gymnasium. Penn State played at the 6,500-seat Rec Hall until relocating to the 16,000-seat Bryce Jordan Center in 1996 …
Return to the Rec.#Illini | #HTTO | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/zYd2On5BYV
— Illinois Men’s Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 21, 2024
After a strong start by the Nittany Lions, who opened with a quick 9-2 advantage, the Illini stormed back to claim a 48-41 halftime lead …
7-0 run to close the gap for the Illini 💪@IlliniMBB x @Sn1per_T pic.twitter.com/tXVtjdsCdz
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 21, 2024
Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins started the second half with a trey, but struggled late. He missed two free throws with 18 seconds remaining and fouled Hicks on a long trey attempt …
Coleman Hawkins starting out the second half strong for @IlliniMBB. 💪 pic.twitter.com/2DpEt5sMyT
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) February 22, 2024
The Fighting Illini had a chance at the end, but the drive fell short …
Court storm in Happy Valley
Penn St. upsets No. 12 Illinois and the fans go crazy at Rec Hall pic.twitter.com/d6a2MAaDEO
— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) February 22, 2024
Final score: Penn State 90, No. 12 Illinois 89 …
WE ARE! 🗣️
Penn State erases a 14-point deficit to upset No. 12 Illinois 🦁 pic.twitter.com/GPywlNhvCg
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 22, 2024
The closing sequence that led to the Nittany Lions’ comeback win …
Take a front row seat and watch the ending to @PennStateMBB’s upset win over No. 12 Illinois. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/4vDw0XpULD
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 22, 2024
“Epic choke” cried one Illinois fan. The Fighting Illini have five regular-season conference games remaining, beginning with a home game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday …
Epic choke job. Kiss that *chance* at a Big Ten title goodbye. And more. #Illini
— Team Vulture (@TeamVulture) February 22, 2024
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