Leal's putback lifts shorthanded Indiana past Penn State 61-51 and into Big Ten quarterfinals

Indiana players celebrate after their win over Penn State in an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Leal put back a missed jumper by Malik Reneau with seven seconds left to give short-handed and sixth-seeded Indiana to a 61-59 win over No. 11 seed Penn State in the second round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament on Thursday night.

Indiana was without guard Trey Galloway, who injured his knee during pregame warmups before Sunday’s regular-season finale with Michigan State. The Hoosiers advance to face third-seeded Nebraska in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Puff Johnson gave Penn State the lead with 2:38 left on a pair of free throws to make it 57-56, but Kel’el Ware hit the first of two free throws to tie the game for Indiana, then put the Hoosiers in front with a dunk off a pass from Reneau with 1:45 left. Ace Baldwin Jr. tied the game with a jumper 20 seconds later. Both teams missed 3-point attempts in the final minute. Indiana worked the clock before Reneau drove into the paint for a jumper, but the ball caromed off the side of the rim and Leal grabbed it and scored. Johnson launched an open three for the Nittany Lions, but the shot wouldn’t fall and the Hoosiers rebounded to end the game.

Ware turned in a double-double to lead Indiana (19-13), putting up 18 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while blocking three shots. Reneau finished with 12 points and eight boards and Mackenzie Mgbako added 11 points. Leal came off the Indiana bench to score eight points and grab four boards.

Johnson finished with 16 points to lead Penn State (16-17). Zach Hicks added 11 points.

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