Lorenzo Gordon scored 26 points and Nedu Onyeuku 16 as the junior-college transfers led Illinois State to a stunning 82-73 upset win over Penn State last night in the Black Coaches Association Classic in Milwaukee.
It was only the Redbirds’ fourth win in 22 tries against a Big Ten foe, with the last victory of 77-62 over Wisconsin in 1996.
Geary Claxton scored 16 points, and Marlon Smith and Travis Parker 14 each for Penn State in the season opener for both teams, which met for the first time.
The game was one of four in the first round of the Marquette-hosted tournament, which has eight teams playing three consecutive days.