Lamar Wilkerson lit Assembly Hall on fire tonight. Indiana crushed Penn State 113-72 in a Big Ten statement win, and the junior guard wrote his name into the program record book. He poured in 44 points in just 24 minutes, drilling 10 threes and turning a tight early game into a track meet that only the Hoosiers could win.
Record night in Bloomington
From his first catch, Wilkerson’s rhythm was obvious. He stepped into transition threes. He curled off pin downs. He spaced to the corner and punished every late closeout. He finished 16 of 22 from the field and 10 of 15 from deep. The final roar came when his tenth triple splashed through, the new Indiana single game mark sealed as teammates lifted both arms to the rafters. 🎯
Penn State threw length at him. They switched. They chased him over screens. It did not matter. Indiana’s pace and spacing kept the Nittany Lions a step behind, and Wilkerson’s quick trigger did the rest. By the time he sat, the outcome was beyond doubt and Assembly Hall was buzzing.
Lamar Wilkerson set the Indiana single game record with 10 made threes.
How Indiana blew it open
This was not just one hot hand. It was a clinic in movement and sharing. Indiana shot 68.9 percent from the floor and 54.8 percent from three. The Hoosiers logged 30 assists on 42 made field goals, which tells the real story. The ball popped from side to side. Drivers kept their eyes up. Shooters were ready.
Reed Bailey came off the bench and did not miss a shot on his way to 18 points. Tayton Conerway added 17, finding space as Penn State tilted toward Wilkerson. The second unit kept the pressure high, which let Indiana stretch the lead and never look back.
- Key lines: Wilkerson 44 points, 10 threes. Bailey 18 on perfect shooting. Conerway 17. Team 30 assists.
Indiana’s spacing was precise. They lifted the weak side and opened clean driving lanes. That forced help, which opened the arc. Every time Penn State helped one pass away, the Hoosiers made them pay.
When Indiana spaces four out and plays fast, the drive and kick game becomes lethal.
What it means for the Big Ten race
This was the response Indiana needed. The Hoosiers entered on a two game skid. They walk out 8-2 overall and 1-1 in the league with a signature blowout and a restored edge. There is still a long winter ahead, including a marquee nonconference test with Kentucky, but this form travels. Great shots do not depend on a friendly rim. Great ball movement shows up every night.
The mood around the program matters too. Indiana football just stunned Penn State this fall, and that win fueled a surge across campus. You can feel that energy under the lights here. Basketball is feeding it now. When the football and basketball teams both punch above their weight, it lifts everything from recruiting to belief.
Indiana’s 30 assists underline a clear identity. This team thrives on pace, space, and trust.
What went wrong for Penn State
The Nittany Lions arrived 8-2 and confident. They left with hard film to watch. Rotations were late. Closeouts were short. On offense, empty trips stacked up as Indiana strung together stops and pushed. Once the Hoosiers hit the century mark, the game turned into a lesson in how quickly a modern offense can bury you.
Penn State’s staff will focus on transition defense and three point coverage. They must clean up communication on weak side actions and get more physical at the point of attack. The Big Ten will test those areas again and again. The margin here was 41. That kind of number sticks until you answer it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score of Penn State vs Indiana?
A: Indiana beat Penn State 113-72 in Bloomington.
Q: How many points did Lamar Wilkerson score?
A: He scored 44 points in 24 minutes, hitting 10 threes, a school record.
Q: How well did Indiana shoot as a team?
A: The Hoosiers shot 68.9 percent from the field and 54.8 percent from three.
Q: Who else stood out for Indiana?
A: Reed Bailey scored 18 on a perfect shooting night, and Tayton Conerway added 17.
Q: What are the teams’ records now?
A: Indiana is 8-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. Penn State is 8-2 and 0-1 in league play.
Conclusion: Indiana did not just win. The Hoosiers sent a message to the league. With Wilkerson blazing and the rotation humming, their perimeter punch and depth can carry them into the title chase. Keep the ball moving, keep the floor spaced, and this offense can beat anyone they see next. 🔥
