USC loses to Penn State in fifth-place game of Charleston Classic

If Penn State wanted to close the Charleston Classic with a victory, Coach Pat Chambers knew D.J. Newbill would have to make the biggest plays.

Newbill came through with 16 of his 22 points in the second half in the Nittany Lions’ 63-61 win over USC in Sunday’s fifth-place game.

“I gave him the ball,” Chambers said. “I said, ‘If we’re going down, we’re going down with you.’ ”

Newbill finished the three games with 83 points to set the tournament scoring mark, surpassing the 78 scored by St. Joseph’s Carl Jones in 2011.

Penn State opened 4-1 for the third time in Chambers’ four seasons.

After the Trojans (2-3) built a 49-43 lead with just under 10 minutes left, Newbill scored 10 of Penn State’s next 13 points in their go-ahead run. His second three-pointer put the Nittany Lions ahead to stay at 56-54.

Penn State, though, had to survive a wild ending. Brandon Taylor had the chance to ice things, but missed both foul shots to keep USC within 60-57 with eight seconds left. But as Jordan McLaughlin streaked down court, Newbill reached out for the quick foul to stop any tying three-point attempt.

“I figured that was the right amount of time left to do that,” Chambers said.

USC was still within 62-60 on McLaughlin’s foul shot with 1.3 seconds left. But Penn State’s Shep Garner made a foul shot with 0.7 seconds left to provide the final point.

Katin Reinhardt led USC with 14 points.

USC Coach Andy Enfield said his team missed too many easy shots for it not to cost against a quality team like Penn State. Forwards Strajhinj Gavrilovic, Nikola Jovanovic and Darion Clark were a combined seven for 25.

“You shoot 28% on lane shots, it’s not too good,” Enfield said. “Our guards had open shots. We just missed them.”