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Penn State, Purdue look to push up Big Ten standings

Feb 11, 2009 - 11:37 AM Penn State (17-7) at No. 23 Purdue (17-6) 6:30 p.m. EST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (Ticker) -- Penn State visits No. 23 Purdue on Wednesday as each team looks to avoid a three-game losing streak while jockeying for position in the crowded Big Ten standings.

The Boilermakers (17-6, 6-4 Big Ten) were the hottest team in the conference just over a week ago, riding a six-game winning streak. A pair of road losses and a banged-up star have put a stop to that.

Preseason Conference Player of the Year choice Robbie Hummel has missed the last two games with a hairline fracture in his back, though he was cleared to play in a 66-48 loss to Illinois on Sunday.

JaJuan Johnson had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead Purdue but leading scorer E'Twaun Moore scored just six points, more than seven below his season average, on 2-of-9 shooting.

Penn State (17-7, 6-5) got off to a surprise 6-3 start in league play. However, a pair of ugly offensive performances have the Nittany Lions reeling.

Following a 71-51 beatdown at Michigan Thursday, Penn State had a season-low offensive output in a 54-44 loss to Wisconsin on Sunday.

The Nittany Lions went 0-of-14 from 3-point range, including an 0-of-6 performance from behind the arc by leading-scorer Talor Battle. Averaging 18.2 points per game, the sophomore scored 10 points on 4-of-15 from the field as Penn State shot 37 percent (17-of-46) from the field as a team.

While Michigan State leads the Big Ten with a 10-2 mark, seven teams are within shouting distance of Illinois and Ohio State, which are each tied with a 7-4 record in league play.