Chambers, PSU upset Va. Tech
STATE COLLEGE >> Pat Chambers predicted two weeks ago that opponents would soon come to respect Myreon Jones’ sharpshooting abilities.
When the Penn State freshman finally got his chance to showcase his shot against a ranked team Tuesday night, he lived up to his coach’s billing.
Jones scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half to lead Penn State to a 63-62 upset win over No. 13 Virginia Tech. Jones played 22 minutes and finished the game 7-for-11 and was 4-for-8 from 3-point range.
“I told you guys,” Chambers said. “This kid’s nickname is Buckets. I knew it was only matter of time before he’d see the ball go in.”
Lamar Stevens (Haverford School All-Delco) added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Rasir Bolton chipped in 11 points for the Nittany Lions (42), who snapped Virginia Tech’s five-game winning streak. It was Penn State’s first win over a nonconference Top 25 team at home in 20 years.
Justin Robinson led the Hokies (5-1) with 19 points while Ty Outlaw added 16. Kerry Blackshear Jr. and Nickeil AlexanderWalker scored 14 and 13 points respectively for the Hokies who led 37-35 at halftime.
Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams was among those unfamiliar with Jones. Williams offered a quiet “no” when he was asked afterward if he thought the young guard would contribute that much with Stevens and a host of other known-shooters on the floor for Penn State.
“I mean that respectfully, too,” Williams said. “I thought they executed their plan very well. We were not great in some things we’ve been great at and that’s a credit to them.”
The Hokies, playing for the first time on the road this season, used a 9-0 run midway through the second half that gave them a
50-44 lead. But Jones led the Nittany Lions back to a 56-55 advantage with 10 points over the next five minutes.
Bolton hit his third 3-pointer of the game to give Penn State the lead for good, 61-58 lead with
3:57 to play.
BIG MAN’S BACK
With Josh Reaves between free throws just 2:16 into the game, Mike Watkins got up from his courtside seat and slid out of his warmups to hearty cheers. The forward missed the first five games of this season recovering from personal issues. A right knee injury cost him the final nine games last season.
“He changes their team,” Williams said.
Chambers announced Monday that Watkins would be a gametime decision and the big man appeared to be working his way back into shape. He played 21 minutes, made one basket and grabbed seven rebounds.