Heading into last night's game against the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Penn was getting desperate for a win or at least a good showing after losing its last two games by a combined 56 points.
The Red and Blue couldn't have asked for a more favorable matchup. NJIT entered the Palestra at 0-16, and left 0-17 as Penn (5-9)emerged in the second half to win 79-68.
Less than a week after their debacle against Florida Gulf Coast, the Quakers were looking shaky against an even worse opponent. At the half last night, they held a slim four-point lead. But as the game wore on, Penn captain Brian Grandieri and the rest of the squad found their groove and demonstrated that they were the better team.
The Quakers were able to effectively run the break and capitalize off turnovers while limited their own mistakes, as they won the points off turnovers battle by a 23-4 margin. They also were able to get to the line 40 times in the game, but shot a pitiful 58 percent from the charity stripe. Still, those extra 24 attempts gave them a huge advantage over the Highlanders.
Grandieri led all scorers with 22 points in 37 minutes (9-13 FG, 2-5 FT), while frontcourt teammate Cameron Lewis -- known more for his defensive ability -- was second with 15 points on 6-9 shooting.
Guard Kevin Egee got the start for the Red and Blue over Aron Cohen and Harrison Gaines. Cohen had been starting for the then-injured Gaines, but Gaines was dressed for the first time in two weeks and saw 24 minutes of action last night. Brennan Votel and Mike Kach did not play either, although Votel was dressed.
