Newbill’s buzzer-beater lifts Penn State past Minnesota in regular season finale

With the possibility of a rematch coming up later in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, these two evenly matched teams met up for a regular season closer Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. 

The Nittany Lions most recently suffered a 77-67 loss to Ohio State on March 4 and coming into the game, had lost 6 in a row and 8 of their last 9. 

In the first half, Penn State collectively put up five 3-pointers and finished the first 20 minutes up 43-34. 

Penn State controlled the majority of the second half, but the Golden Gophers held on to keep the score close with help from Maurice Walker, who finished the game with 26 points.

With :14 left in the game, a foul on Jordan Dickerson allowed Minnesota to tie the game at 76, but a 3-pointer by Newbill with one second left in regulation lifted the Nittany Lions to the victory.

Newbill was 11-of-22 from the field, 5-11 from 3-point range and 4-4 at the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Geno Thorpe also cashed in 14 points.

Penn State finishes their regular season 16-15 overall and 4-14 in the Big Ten. The Lions finished 13th in the 14-team conference.

Penn State will play 12th seed Nebraska in the first round of the Big 10 Tournament on Wednesday at 4:30 ET.