Frazier, Penn State defeats Boston College 62-54

BOSTON — Penn State may have found some scoring help for Tim Frazier.

Jermaine Marshall came off the bench and scored a career-best 22 points to support Frazier’s 22-point night, carrying Penn State to a 62-54 win over Boston College Wednesday, in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game.

Frazier, who entered the game third in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.1 points per game, went just 1 for 4 from the floor in the opening half before scoring 20 in the second half — 15 points in the final 13 minutes to lead the Nittany Lions (6-2) to the victory.

But it was Marshall’s big first half that may have been the key to the Nittany Lions’ win. Marshall went 6 for 9 from the floor and scored 15 points, one better than his season high.

“I’m sure BC’s a little surprised by Jermaine’s production,” Nittany Lions coach Patrick Chambers said. “We knew he had it in him. He was suspended for a while. He got his legs back. He had a good practice two days ago and a great practice yesterday.”

Marshall, a 6-foot-4 guard, was suspended before preseason practice for violating team rules. He felt like his shot returned in practice Tuesday and was sharp before the game.

“Somewhat yeah,” he said. “I was trying to find my jump shot. When I came out for shootaround I felt comfortable in my jump shot.”

Matt Humphrey led Boston College (2-5) with 15 points and Gabe Moton had 10. The Eagles were 5-0 in ACC/Big Ten games before the loss.

Frazier’s 3-pointer from the top of the key pushed Penn State ahead for good, 51-48, with 6:59 to play. He went 6 for 8 from the floor in the second half.

“I think we did a good job on Tim for the whole game to be honest with you,” BC coach Steve Donahue said. “Give him credit. I thought he made some really big plays. He’s a three-year vet and he’s the only one out there that was a three-year vet — and it showed.”

After Frazier’s 3, the Nittany Lions certainly didn’t pull away, though, as the Eagles closed the gap to two points twice. But BC never had a possession when it could tie or take the lead.

Penn State put it away with free throws in the closing minute.

The second half started like many stretches of the sloppily played game: with turnovers and missed shots. Each team turned the ball over twice in the initial four possessions after the break.

Penn State, which trailed by three at intermission, took the lead, 32-31, when Frazier scored 5 straight points, including a 3-pointer from the left wing that pushed the Nittany Lions ahead with 17 minutes to play.

After BC’s Dennis Clifford hit two free throws, Lonnie Jackson nailed consecutive 3s just 33 seconds apart during a 9-0 run that gave the Eagles a 38-32 edge with 14 1/2 minutes to go.

The Nittany Lions tied it 42-all on Frazier’s 3-pointer from the top with 10:12 left. He tied it again at 46 with two free throws with just 9 minutes to play.

In the first half, the Eagles took advantage of Penn State’s poor shooting and led 29-26 at intermission. The Nittany Lions shot just 36.7 percent in the opening 20 minutes, going 4 for 14 on 3-point attempts.

Without Marshall’s first-half scoring it could have been much worse for Penn State.

“Jermaine had an awesome game today.” Frazier said. “He really stepped up.”

The Eagles weren’t that much better, hitting 45.5 percent and going 4 for 13 on 3s.

BC pulled to a 12-4 lead in the game’s opening 4 1/2 minutes, with KC Caudill scoring its first 6 points. The Nittany Lions, who missed their first six shots from the floor, then scored the next 10 points before the lead switched hands five times over the final 12 minutes of the half.

Penn State started off slowly — like in its last game, a loss at Saint Louis on Saturday. The Nittany Lions missed their first 16 shots from the field and fell behind 22-0 en route to a 65-47 defeat on Saturday.

Former BC quarterback and 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie was seated courtside.