Penn State’s upset bid falls short on final shot

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach Patrick Chambers walked right past the Wisconsin locker room with a solemn look before answering questions in a methodical voice.

The 22nd-ranked Badgers had just beaten his team 63-60 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Traevon Jackson — a tough finish that had the normally bubbly Chambers feeling down for his players.

“We earned the right to win this one. That’s why this one hurts,” Chambers said. “To lose on that type of (ending) … you feel for them.”

Jermaine Marshall scored 23 points for Penn State (10-20, 2-16 Big Ten) and D.J. Newbill added 22, including a jumper from the elbow with 5 seconds left to tie the game at 60.

But Jackson made a contested 3 at the buzzer to finish with 15 points and Wisconsin survived an upset scare in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The Badgers (21-10, 12-6) went the length of the court with less than 4 seconds left. Jackson pulled up on the wing and made his 3 over the outstretched arm of Kevin Montminy.

Officials upheld the basket after a replay review, and anxious fans at the Jordan Center let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

“Give Jackson credit. Tough shot,” Chambers said. “I thought Kevin did a good job contesting.”

Wisconsin nearly threw the ball away on the inbounds play but managed to hold on in the scrape on the floor as the officials called a tie-up.

Jackson’s clutch shot then had the Badgers pumping their arms in victory.

“It felt good. When the shot comes off your hand like that … I just kind of knew it was going to go in,” Jackson said.

They might be last in the Big Ten, but the Nittany Lions challenged Wisconsin. They are 2-2 since starting 0-14 in conference, and the tough play extended into the regular-season finale at an energized Jordan Center.

No. 2 Indiana 72,

No. 7 Michigan 71

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Cody Zeller made a go-ahead layup with 13 seconds left and altered Trey Burke’s shot at the other end, lifting No. 2 Indiana to a victory over No. 7 Michigan that gave the Hoosiers their first outright Big Ten title in two decades.

The Hoosiers (26-5, 14-4) trailed by five points in the final minute but took advantage when the Wolverines (25-6, 12-6) were unable to seal it at the foul line. Jordan Morgan had a fairly easy tip-in attempt of Burke’s miss that could have won it for Michigan, but the ball rolled off the rim and Indiana grabbed the rebound with 4 seconds left.

A couple of Michigan’s rivals surely wish the Wolverines had won.

No. 10 Michigan State 71, Northwestern 61

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Keith Appling scored 16 points and Gary Harris added 12 to lift Michigan State over Northwestern.

The Spartans (24-7, 13-5) were eliminated from Big Ten title contention early in their game when Indiana beat Michigan, and Michigan State struggled to put away the undermanned Wildcats. Northwestern (13-18, 4-14) rallied from a 13-point first-half deficit, tying the game at 51 before the Spartans recovered.

Kale Abrahamson scored 16 points for Northwestern, which has lost eight straight.

Michigan State senior Derrick Nix scored 10 points in his final home game. The Spartans shot 66 percent from the field and 6 of 10 from 3-point range.

No. 14 Ohio State 68,

Illinois 55

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Deshaun Thomas, playing perhaps his final home game for Ohio State, scored 19 points in a victory over Illinois.

Ohio State (23-7, 13-5) is the No. 2 seed for next week’s Big Ten tournament. Aaron Craft added 14 points and six assists while creating his usual havoc on defense for the Buckeyes. Lenzelle Smith Jr. had 10 points.

Brandon Paul scored 21 points for Illinois (21-11, 8-10), which will be the No. 8 seed in Chicago.

Temple 84, No. 21 VCU 76

PHILADELPHIA — Khalif Wyatt scored 30 points, Jake O’Brien had 19 and Temple beat Virginia Commonwealth after rallying from a 16-point deficit.

The Owls (23-8, 11-5 Atlantic 10) clinched the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament and earned a first-round bye. Temple and VCU will both open play at the Barclays Center on Friday.