SB Nation Pittsburgh - Northwestern Vs. Penn State: Talor Battle Eclipses 2,000 Points In 65-41 Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-02-14T02:14:13-05:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17556842011-02-14T02:14:13-05:002011-02-14T02:14:13-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State: Talor Battle Plows Through 2,000 Point Barrier As Nittany Lions Win
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<p>Before Penn State's 65-41 victory against Northwestern on Sunday at the Bryce Jordan Center, the school's 2,000 point club was a lonely place. Nittany Lion hardwood legend Jesse Arnelle stood alone among Penn State's all-time leading scorers north of the hallowed mark, but that all changed quickly after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> started his Penn State record 121st game.</p>
<p>The senior forward passed 2,000 points with an early 3-point jumper on his way to a game-high 19 points in the victory, making him not only the second Penn State player to score 2,000, but the first in the Big Ten era and 22nd in conference history.</p>
<p>When the feat was announced the Jordan Center crowd, Battle received a standing ovation. He wasn't quite sure if it was for him, however, as he missed the announcement in the heat of the timeout.</p>
<p>"Our most important thing was to win the game here," Battle said after the game. "I kind of put my hand up in the air because they were standing...I don't know if that's why they were standing, but I was just kind of saying thank you."</p>
<p>They were standing for him, though, as he added another big piece to his ever growing legacy on the hardwood in Happy Valley.</p>
<p>The accomplishment came four years to the day after he reached the 2,000 point plateau at Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, N.Y. On that day, Battle said the occasion was more celebrated as he was not only the first player to score 2,000 points at Maginn, but in the Big Ten conference in upstate New York. The game was stopped, his mother was brought out onto the floor, and he was presented with a basketball celebrating the event.</p>
<p>Sunday at Penn State, however, was all business.</p>
<p>Battle led the Lions out of the gates as Penn State established a comfortable nine-point lead heading into the half. He and his teammates locked down big time defensively in the first half, holding Northwestern to 15 points and under 30% shooting. In the second half, Penn State's offense kicked into gear, and the Lions led by as many as 25 points before giving way to subs at the end of the game.</p>
<p>After the game, however, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26715/jeff-brooks">Jeff Brooks</a> reflected positively on Battle's career and what he's meant to Penn State since he arrived on campus in 2007.</p>
<p>"I'm so happy for him," Brooks said with a shake of his head and a chuckle. "That's a great milestone to have in college, and I know he's going to keep it rolling. He's not going to stop."</p>
<p>Brooks, a classmate of Battle's, made his first start since Penn State's upset of Wisconsin two weeks ago after missing the home loss to Michigan last week and coming off the bench at Michigan State. He added 14 points and five rebounds on the afternoon. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99917/tim-frazier">Tim Frazier</a> and David Jackson also added double figure scoring for the Lions in the win.</p>
<p>Penn State now looks forward to a matchup with No. 25 Minnesota on Thursday at the Jordan Center. At 13-11 and 6-7 in conference, the Lions need every win they can get, and a victory over another ranked opponent would certainly go a long way toward helping Battle and his teammate reach the goal they set in the preseason: reaching the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p>With all that going on, however, coach Ed DeChellis still found time after the game to reflect on Battle's contributions to the program.</p>
<p>"It's a great honor for him to score 2,000 points," DeChellis said. "Not many guys have done that in their careers and he's a special player."</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/14/1992517/northwestern-vs-penn-state-talor-battle-2000-pointsFTG18552011-02-13T17:18:56-05:002011-02-13T17:18:56-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State Second Half Updates: Nittany Lions Break Losing Streak
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<p>The cheerleaders are running the "P-E-N-N S-T-A-T-E" flags around the court. Might be the most entertaining part of this half.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99917/tim-frazier">Tim Frazier</a> has quietly had a nice game with nine points and six assists so far.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26715/jeff-brooks">Jeff Brooks</a> wakes the crowd up with a nice drive and dunk to put Penn State up 23.</p>
<p>The only Penn State starter having a slow day is Andrew Jones. He has only two points and four boards at the moment.</p>
<p>Tim Frazier is the fourth Lion in double figures. He now has 11 points after two free throws.</p>
<p>Northwestern is finally starting to score a little to keep the final score out of the "total embarrassment" category.</p>
<p>All five Penn State starters are in the game. Why? This one is clearly over and the last thing the Nittany Lions need is for someone to get injured playing meaningless minutes.</p>
<p>Last media timeout and Penn State is up 20, 58-38.</p>
<p>Penn State finally empties the bench with 2:08 left. Starters leave to a noisy ovation.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124149/tre-bowman">Tre Bowman</a> gets on the board in the final moments here.</p>
<p>That's it and that's all. Penn State wins...Heading down to the press room now. We'll have more later tonight and tomorrow on this nice win for the Nittany Lions.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991876/northwestern-vs-penn-state-second-half-updates-nittany-lions-breakFTG18552011-02-13T17:03:37-05:002011-02-13T17:03:37-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State Second Half Updates: Lions Dominating
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> just reared back for a completely unnecessary 30 footer and nailed it. Then hit another really deep one. NCAA Tournament or no NCAA Tounament, Penn State fans better enjoy this while they can. He's a special player and his time in Happy Valley is dwindling quickly.</p>
<p>Northwestern finally cracks 20 points with under 14 minutes to play. </p>
<p>Lions just playing with the 'cats now. They try an ally-oop up 23 points here and fail epically.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99917/tim-frazier">Tim Frazier</a> just broke down <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52360/john-shurna">John Shurna</a>. Things are getting out of hand.</p>
<p>There's the under-12 timeout. I don't really have anything else to say, so we'll stay here through the timeout.</p>
<p>Michael Thompson just air-balled a three for Northwestern, followed up by two backcourt fouls. Absurdly terrible basketball being played by the 'cats right now. Penn State is already in the bonus.</p>
<p>Wildcats are deploying a 3/4 court press now. The time has come and gone for that, I believe.</p>
<p>With 7:07 left, Pen State leads 48-29.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991840/northwestern-vs-penn-state-second-half-updates-lions-dominatingFTG18552011-02-13T16:44:31-05:002011-02-13T16:44:31-05:00Penn State Vs. Northwestern Second Half Updates: Wildcats Struggle
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<p>Penn State starts the half with the same five that opened the game, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99917/tim-frazier">Tim Frazier</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> at the guards and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26715/jeff-brooks">Jeff Brooks</a>, David Jackson and Andrew Jones at the forwards.</p>
<p>Brooks gets Penn State on the board in the half with a kiss of the glass for two. He's up to eight points, tying Battle for a game high.</p>
<p>Another nice pass from Talor Battle, this time to Jackson, to get two more. He's looked good passing the ball today.</p>
<p>Tim Frazier scores on a breakway, pushing the Penn State lead to 30-16. Bill Carmody call timeout with 17:37 remaining in the game.</p>
<p>Wildcats come out and commit another turnover. I'm sure Carmody is thrilled.</p>
<p>Northwestern is playing unwatchable offense at the moment. The Wildcats are down to 28.6% shooting and they still haven't cracked 20 points a few minutes into this half. Penn State isn't so much winning this game as Northwestern seems determined to lose it.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991821/penn-state-vs-northwestern-second-half-updates-wildcats-struggleFTG18552011-02-13T16:27:55-05:002011-02-13T16:27:55-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State First Half Updates: Nittany Lions Take Lead To Locker Room
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> gift wraps two points for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52375/billy-oliver">Billy Oliver</a> with a beautiful dump to the two-time redshirt freshman. Oliver isn't much of an offensive contributor, but it would have been hard to screw that up.</p>
<p>This half feels a lot like the first half of the Michigan game last weekend. Penn State isn't playing very well offensively, but it's doing well enough to nurse a decent lead thanks to some strong interior defense. The Nittany Lions just better hope Northwestern doesn't heat up from 3-point territory like the Wolverines did.</p>
<p>Wildcats are racking up the turnovers here big time. Penn State can thank that for its lead as much as anything else.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52374/cammeron-woodyard">Cammeron Woodyard</a> is seeing some extended minutes here as Talor Battle gets a much needed breather. He just grabbed another rebound and is up to five for the game.</p>
<p>That's the half. Penn State leads 24-15. Might be Penn State's best first half in a long time, which actually isn't saying much.</p>
<p>Halftime entertainment today is the mascot basketball game.</p>
<p>Here's your first half stat pack.</p>
<p>Talor Battle leads Penn State in scoring with eight points. Cammeron Woodyard's five rebounds off the bench are a game high. Penn State shot only 36% in the half, but held Northwestern to 29%. Lions outrebounded Northwestern 17-11 as well.</p>
<p>Shockingly, the Wildcats did not hit a triple in that half (0-9). That's likely to change after halftime. Penn State needs to be ready to weather the storm from deep when it happens. Michael Thompson leads Northwestern in scoring with six points. He also has four rebounds, joining <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99910/drew-crawford">Drew Crawford</a> for the team lead in that department.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991789/northwestern-vs-penn-state-first-half-updates-nittany-lions-take-leadFTG18552011-02-13T16:03:19-05:002011-02-13T16:03:19-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State First Half Updates: Nittany Lions Lead Wildcats
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> is only the 22nd player in Big Ten history to hit the 2,000 plateau. He still has at least six games and change to move up the ladder, too. Battle is the only player to hit 2,000 for Penn State in the Big Ten era.</p>
<p>We haven't seen a whole lot of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52374/cammeron-woodyard">Cammeron Woodyard</a> this year, and he still has a long way to go on the offensive end, but he appears to have the makings of a pretty good rebounder. He'll likely see a decent amount of time at the three next year if he can keep this up.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26715/jeff-brooks">Jeff Brooks</a> gets a big swat on the defensive end. That's something Penn State missed big time against Michigan and Michigan State. Even though Brooks played, you could see he was limited in that department, so it's good to see him swatting away again if you're a Penn State fan.</p>
<p>With 6:49 remaining in the half, Penn State leads 18-13.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991781/northwestern-vs-penn-state-first-half-updates-nittany-lions-leadFTG18552011-02-13T15:54:01-05:002011-02-13T15:54:01-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State First Half Updates: Battle Makes History
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<p>Bill Carmody still isn't wearing a tie down on the Northwestern bench. He's been without one for much of the Big Ten season. I nominate him for "most interesting man in Big Ten basketball."</p>
<p>Wildcats take the lead on a Michael Thompson layup.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> hits a trey from the far wing, giving him 2,002 for the career. "Talor Battle" cheers ring out in the building. He doesn't quite get the credit he deserves having never played on a very good team, but he might be one of the best players this league has ever seen. '</p>
<p>The two teams are trading the lead here early on. Northwestern seems to be attacking the basket more while Penn State is taking shots wherever it can get them.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52374/cammeron-woodyard">Cammeron Woodyard</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52375/billy-oliver">Billy Oliver</a> are the first two subs into the game for Penn State.</p>
<p>With 11:06 to play in the half, Penn State leads 14-13.</p>
<p>The announcement is made during this timeout about Talor Battle's accomplishment. He gets a standing ovation and a verse of "Hail to the Lion" from the pep band.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991764/northwestern-vs-penn-state-first-half-updates-battle-makes-historyFTG18552011-02-13T15:44:32-05:002011-02-13T15:44:32-05:00Northwestern Vs. Penn State First Half Updates: Battle Closes On 2,000
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<p>The Jordan Center is expecting 10,000 today for the game. Many of those tickets were probably sold before the three game losing streak, though, so it's hard to see that many people actually showing up.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26708/talor-battle">Talor Battle</a> is going for 2,000 points today against Northwestern. He needs four. If he gets there, he'll join Jesse Arnelle as only the second 2,000 point scorer in Penn State history, so at least there's that to look for. Today is also Battle's Penn State record 121st start.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26715/jeff-brooks">Jeff Brooks</a> is in the lineup today for Penn State after missing the Michigan game last Sunday and coming off the bench against Michigan State. He's greeted warmly by the Jordan Center crowd. He's wearing a flak jacket again, though.</p>
<p>The THON lighting is in the upper reaches of the Jordan Center. Just a few more days until those folks take over the building for next weekend's big event.</p>
<p>Brooks gets Penn State on the board with a nice jumper in the lane.</p>
<p>Battle gets to 1,999 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.</p>
<p>Penn State looks pretty good on the boards here early on. Rebounding margin is 4-2 already.</p>
<p>There's the first media timeout. Penn State leads 7-5 with 15:08 remaining.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/2/13/1991732/northwestern-vs-penn-state-first-half-updates-battle-closes-on-2000FTG1855