Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Despite Seth Lundy’s Big Game, Penn State Hoops To ‘Win By Committee’

Penn State men’s basketball improved to 2-0 after gutting out a victory over VCU Wednesday night thanks to a Myles Dread buzzer-beater. Questions still remain for Penn State, although the way in which it won will help propel the Nittany Lions.

Following the game, several players felt the matchup with VCU prepared the Nittany Lions for upcoming challenges against Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, and a challenging Big Ten slate.

“[This game] is definitely going to prepare us,” junior guard Sam Sessoms said. “VCU is a great team, they beat Memphis who are also a great team. They are dogs, and we were looking for this kind of game.”

Sessoms was a spark off the bench, scoring 17 points in 26 minutes played. The Binghamton transfer was key in the win and showed immediate promise in his second game as a Nittany Lion.

However, the star of the night was sophomore Seth Lundy, who posted a career-high 32 points.

Lundy has drawn comparisons to Penn State legend Lamar Stevens in recent years. Both players have similar styles of play and hail from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Due to the depth and experience of the current roster, Lundy may not need to continue carrying Penn State in the box score.

“I think we are a team that wins by committee,” head coach Jim Ferry said. “We are a team that is very balanced. It could be a different guy last night.”

The “win by committee” approach was on full display in the final moments of the contest. VCU presumably lined up to defend a Sessoms drive or a Lundy three. However, the game was won by Dread, who played just nine minutes and had no points until the game-winner.

“All guys on the court were confident, including the guys on the bench and the whole staff,” Lundy said. “[Dread] went 0-for-4 today, but I knew he’d hit that shot. He’s just that type of player.”

“That last possession showed who we are as a team. It showed how much these guys trust each other,” Ferry said. “They played for each other, which I thought showed in that possession.”

The first two games of the new season have shown that Penn State has multiple threats. Before Lundy’s big night, Jamari Wheeler was the star of the season opener when he scored a career-high 18 points in the win over VMI.

While Wheeler had a quiet night Wednesday, the junior grabbed an impressive eight rebounds and six assists.

“We have a lot of threats on the floor and the guys trust each other,” Ferry said. “Whoever’s night it’s going to be has the chance to do it.”

Ferry has made it clear that his team will be dynamic in the ways it will threaten opponents, and he deserves a part of the credit for the positive start to the season. The players have touted his free style of coaching as a key catalyst for a balanced box score, unlike the 2019-20 season that was dominated by Stevens.

“[Ferry] is an offensive-minded coach, he wants us to play,” Sessoms said. “We have so many set plays, but once the game starts it’s all about hooping. He lets us go free.”

Penn State will attempt to reach its third straight win on Sunday when it hosts Seton Hall. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Otis Lyons

Otis is a sophomore majoring in print journalism and is one of Onward State's associate editors. He lives just north of San Francisco, and is a diehard San Jose Earthquakes fan. Feel free to send over your soccer hot takes to his twitter @otisnlyons1 and instagram @otislyons

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
157kFollowers
55.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
State College Links

[Photo Story] Penn State vs. Northwestern

After a soggy football Saturday, we rounded up our favorite photos from Penn State’s win over Northwestern.

Penn State Relay For Life Raises $41,519.93 Virtually

The event was done virtually this year due to the coronavirus, however many teams still participated in the event remotely.

Where To Eat In State College Late At Night: Your Penn State Drunk Food Guide

From tacos to pizza to egg rolls, State College has it all when it comes to late-night drunk food.

[Photo Story] Penn State vs. Northwestern

After a soggy football Saturday, we rounded up our favorite photos from Penn State’s win over Northwestern.

[Photo Story] Penn State vs. Northwestern

After a soggy football Saturday, we rounded up our favorite photos from Penn State’s win over Northwestern.

No. 11 Penn State Survives, Downs Northwestern 17-7

The Nittany Lions grinded through some ugly weather to advance to 5-0 on the season.

Gameday Coverage: No. 11 Penn State vs. Northwestern

Get ready for some ugly weather in Happy Valley.

 
Send this to a friend