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Penn State topples No. 18 Spartans

Jan 9, 2011 - 12:35 AM University Park, PA (Sports Network) - Jeff Brooks posted 17 points with 12 rebounds as Penn State toppled No. 18 Michigan State, 66-62, at Bryce Jordan Center.

Andrew Jones scored 16 and Talor Battle added 13 points, six boards and six assists for the Nittany Lions (9-6, 2-2 Big Ten), who had lost to Purdue and Michigan prior to Saturday's triumph.

"I thought we were very effective (defensively) tonight, and I think we rebounded the basketball very well," said Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis. "The last couple of days have been all defense and rebounding (in practice). We had grit and determination and we fought here today."

Durrell Summers tallied a game-high 21 points for the Spartans (10-5, 2-1), who had won four of five coming in. Kalin Lucas contributed 14 points and Draymond Green pulled 10 rebounds in a losing cause.

"I would have to call this one of the more disappointing losses in my career. Not because of Penn State, but because of the way that we prepared this week," said MSU head coach Tom Izzo. "One of our best weeks of practice and we didn't do the things we needed to do. Eleven turnovers isn't bad, but some of the turnovers we made cost us and cost us buckets."

Delvon Roe hit a jumper with 3:14 to play and Michigan State was up 61-60, but a Jones tip-in just under two minutes to go gave Penn State a one-point edge.

Korie Lucious missed a trey and Lucas had the rebound swatted away by Brooks, who grabbed the defensive board.

Jones hit 1-of-2 from the line to give the home team a two-point edge, then Summers countered by splitting a pair of free throws.

Battle added a jumper to make it 65-62, then Tim Frazier hit the first and missed the second at the charity stripe for a four-point game. Lucious sped down court but missed a quick runner in the lane as time expired.

In a tightly-played first half, Penn State led by as many as four with nine minutes to go, but Michigan State turned around with a 13-3 run to go ahead by six.

Two from the line by Summers gave the Spartans a 36-31 edge at the break.

Both sides took turns with the lead throughout the second half. The Spartans' biggest advantage was six, at 40-34 on a Summers layup less than two minutes in. The Lions' largest margin was 46-42, with 14:12 remaining, on a Jones tip- in.

"I thought we played the last few seconds of the first half like a bunch of knuckleheads, so it was good to challenge them in the second half," DeChellis added. "We made some plays defensively and made some shots. They're very well coached, and if you give them much of a cushion they'll chop you up."

Game Notes

It was Penn State's first home victory over the Big Ten powerhouse since February 2, 2008 in an 85-76 triumph...Despite the loss, MSU has won 28 of the 34 all-time meetings...The Nits managed to win despite shooting 34.5 percent from the floor in the first half, and committed just six turnovers to 11 for the Spartans.