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Penn State routs Northwestern 79-60

Feb 28, 2010 - 7:26 PM By GENARO C. ARMAS AP Sports Writer

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.(AP) -- Talor Battle had 16 points and six assists and hot-shooting Penn State easily exploited Northwestern's defense in a 79-60 win on Sunday.

Jeff Brooks added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Nittany Lions (11-17, 3-13 Big Ten), who shot 57 percent to secure its fourth straight win over the Wildcats.

Michael Thompson had 21 points for Northwestern (18-11, 7-10). Their already faint hopes for a bid to the NCAA tournament were all but extinguished after a second loss this season to the conference's last-place team.

Only 3-point shooting went Northwestern's way during an otherwise terrible afternoon. They opened 7 of 11 from long range to stay within 27-24 with 7:45 in the first half.

But the 3s stopped falling, and Penn State found holes in Northwestern's zone.

Penn State led by 14 at the half and by 25 with 8 minutes left in the game.