Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Downed By Nittany Lions, 71-68
2/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2006
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -Geary Claxton had 20 points, including a decisive 3-pointer late in the game to lead Penn State over Indiana 71-68 on Wednesday night.
Lewis Monroe hit a late free throw, then Penn State's Ben Luber missed two free throws with 2 seconds left. But Marshall Strickland's desperation 3 hit off the rim and the fans from Penn State (12-11, 4-8 Big Ten) stormed the court as Indiana lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Robert Vaden led Indiana with 17 points. Parker had 21 for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions erased an early eight-point deficit and took a 26-20 lead on a free throw by Claxton.
But the Lions went cold from the field and the Hoosiers started hitting from outside. Sophomore reserve A.J. Ratliff made two 3s in the waning minutes of the first half before Strickland dunked just before halftime to give Indiana a 35-31 lead.
Ratliff scored as many points in the first half (11) than in his previous four games combined. A projected starter at the beginning of the season, Ratliff missed the first three games of the season with a broken right thumb and had struggled since then.
