Jalen Pickett powers Penn State basketball to road win at Ohio State

The goal is simple for Penn State. Win out and they’ll have a shot of going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years.

After starting February with three straight losses, Penn State is now riding a three-game win streak after Tuesday’s 75-71 win over Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

The game was spectacular. The two teams went back and forth throughout the 40 minutes of game time.

Coach Micah Shrewsberry made sure his team knew they had to get off to an early start. The team listened and took an 11-8 lead four minutes into the game.

Then, it was a rollercoaster ride of who held the lead.

There were 12 lead changes in the first half alone, including a four minute stretch where every basket scored changed the lead.

When the first half buzzer sounded, the game was tied 37-37.

But things could have gone off the rails early for Penn State.

Coming into this game, the Nittany Lions had two road wins all season. They have not been the same team away from home and this was their second road game in a row.

Then, seven minutes into the game, Jalen Pickett picked up his second foul. Their best player had to sit for a good chunk of time.

The senior guards rose to the occasion. Seth Lundy scored 14 points and Camren Wynter 11 in the first half to keep Penn State in the game.

The rollercoaster ride continued in the second half. There were eight more lead changes for a total of 20. When there wasn’t a lead change, the game was tied five times.

After scoring just two points at the break, Pickett wasn’t going to stay quiet for long.

He completely took the game over in the second half, scoring 21 of his 23 points in the period, including the dagger.

Up one with a minute left, Pickett isolated Ohio State freshman Brice Sensabaugh. He made layup and drew a foul to give Penn State a 73-69 lead.

Four points was all the separation the Nittany Lions needed to close out the game as Ohio State missed five consecutive three pointers on the final possession.

Pickett’s 23 points led the game. Lundy finished with 19 points and Wynter with 18. The Ohio State freshmen guards Sensabaugh and Bruce Thornton scored 20 and 19 points respectively.

This was an impressive win for Penn State. The Big Ten leader in three pointers, Andrew Funk, didn’t make a single one in this game. Other players had to fill the void when Pickett went out with foul trouble.

It feels like Penn State is starting to hit their stride at just the right time.

Their three remaining games on the…