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game. Although Penn State struggled to shoot the ball, finishing the game hitting only 35.8 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from 3-point range, Wagner had an even tougher time, going 0 for 13 from 3-point range in the first half and hitting only 29.9 percent of their attempts from the floor for the game. Frazier and Newbill finished with 25 and 18 points, respectively, but looking forward, Chambers said he would like to see his team's combined assist numbers increase. "We've got to share the ball a little bit more, he said. "Ten assists is good. I'd like " to see us get up to 13 or 14 assists per game, because I think we have that type of talent. But overall, I thought we played pretty well, because that is a very, very good team. I think they're going to be an NCAA Tournament team. That's how good I think they are. They have a lot of pieces. " Defensive strength Citing team defense as one of the keys N O V E M B E R to the Nittany Lions' early success for this season, Chambers acknowledged that players have a better grasp of concepts than they did at this time a year ago. That's due in large part to the work they put in over the summer, and to the foreign tour that included three games against European opponents during August. "I think we're well ahead of where we were last year this time, he said. "I think " we have six guys really on the same page, including Allen Roberts. We've got to get seven, eight and nine on that page. Once we do, I'll feel much better. " In winning only 10 games last season, the Nittany Lions compiled some unsightly defensive numbers. They surrendered 68.2 points per game, ranking 215th out of 345 Division I teams in scoring defense. They were even worse on the offensive end, netting only 61.6 points per game (297th overall), but with an influx of scorers, the expectations have changed significantly this year. 1 3 , 2 0 1 3 12 Practice makes perfect Penn State's depth is much improved from last season, and it will get even better in December when Pitt transfer John Johnson becomes eligible after sitting out a year in accordance with NCAA rules. Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard, is set to make his debut on Dec. 22 when the Nittany Lions welcome Mount St. Mary's to the BJC. The increased depth will certainly help Penn State on the court, but it will also have an impact in other ways. For instance, with more players in the mix, Chambers is seeing a higher level of competition in practice. "It's terrific, he said. The backup play" ers "go at our starters like it's a game. I think that's why you're going to see us continue to get better, because practice is so competitive. Now you just got older. Now you've got 10 guys who you can put in there and feel pretty comfortable about, especially when it comes to Big Ten play. " B LUE WH I T E ON L I N E .COM

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