ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When a 3-pointer by Penn State’s Freddie Dilione V and two free throws by Ace Baldwin gave Penn State a 5-point lead over Michigan on Monday, Jan. 28, it was the culmination of a tenacious comeback in the later stages of the second half by the Nittany Lions.
Playing at Michigan’s Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Penn State needed to hold that lead over the final two minutes of play in order to clinch its 14th win of the season and fourth in the Big Ten.
It wasn’t to be, however.
The Wolverines gathered themselves and scored the final nine points of the night and came away with an exciting 76-72 win over PSU.
With Penn State ahead, 72-67, after Baldwin’s free throws, Roddy Gayle closed the gap with a fast-break dunk and then Michigan turned the game over to Tre Donaldson.
After a Penn State turnover, Donaldson sank a jumper at the 56-second mark that closed the gap to 72-71.
Nick Kern tried to answer for the Lions, but his layup attempt was very physically blocked by Michigan, with no call, and seconds later Donaldson put the Wolverines ahead with a clutch 3-pointer, 74-72.
Penn State had 24 seconds to tie the game, but Baldwin’s jump shot missed, Donaldson rebounded, and he was immediately fouled by Zach Hicks.
Donaldson went to the line with four seconds left and put the game away, 76-72, by making both shots.
Donaldson scored the last 7 points for Michigan in the final minute of play, cleared the defensive rebound after Baldwin’s miss, and closed out Michigan’s 15 win of the year and 10th win at the Crisler Center this season without a loss.
Kern had a solid game for the Lions with 16 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two assists, while Baldwin added 15 points and D’Marco Dunn scored 13.
Baldwin also handed out six assists and had three steals and three rebounds.
The setback for Penn State was its second, down-to-the-wire road loss in a row.
Three days earlier at Iowa, another Penn State comeback bid fell just short in a taut, 76-75, loss to the Hawkeyes.
Penn State was down six points, 76-70, with 2:32 to play after a dunk by Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Kern chipped away with a free throw, and then Niederhauser tipped one in to make it 76-73 with just over a minute to play.
Penn State’s defense forced an Iowa miss and Neiderhauser came through again, this time getting fouled after an offensive rebound. He sank both and it was 76-75 with 53 seconds left.
With the game on the line, the Lions forced another Hawkeye miss, Hicks cleared the rebound, and Penn State went after the win.
But jump shots, by Baldwin and Hicks, both missed and Iowa won it when Drew Thelwell cleared the last rebound with just two seconds to go.
Both teams came out of the game with 13-7 records, but Iowa had the advantage in the conference with four wins to three for PSU.
Penn State will now return home to the Jordan Center to take on Ohio State on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m.
