WATCH: Anthony Leal's Late Bucket Lifts Indiana Over Penn State in Big Ten Tournament
For the second time this season, Anthony Leal was the hero for Indiana. The senior guard made a huge basket late in the game, lifting the Hoosiers to a 61-59 victory over Penn State in the second round of the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.
Indiana's Malik Reneau missed a floater with time running down in the second half and the game tied 59-59. Leal was in the right place at the right time, getting to the offensive glass for a put-back and putting the Hoosiers ahead 61-59 win five seconds to play.
Penn State had one last shot to win it, but a 3-point try from Ace Baldwin Jr. came up short. Because of Leal's shot, the Hoosiers are heading to the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament.
This marks the second time this season Leal has hit a big shot for Indiana. On Feb. 6, the Bloomington native hit a clutch triple late in the second half, propelling the Hoosiers to a 76-73 road victory over Ohio State.
With IU trailing Ohio State 73-71, Trey Galloway hit an open Leal in the corner for a wide open 3-point attempt. The senior buried the shot, giving Indiana a 74-73 lead with 22 seconds remaining.
Leal then made two late free throws to secure the victory in Columbus.
In Thursday's Big Ten Tournament win over Penn State, Leal finished the game with eight points and four rebounds off the bench.
Regardless of how this season ends, Indiana fans will get to see Leal in the cream-and-crimson uniform for one more year. The guard announced that he'll be returning to Bloomington for the 2024-25 season during his Senior Day speech.
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- IU-PENN STATE LIVE BLOG: It's Big Ten Tournament time for coach Mike Woodson and the No. 6 seed Hoosiers, who face No. 11 seed Penn State in the second round on Thursday at approximately 9 p.m. ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Welcome to our live blog, where we'll post updates, highlights and thoughts on the game. CLICK HERE
- X-FACTOR AGAINST PENN STATE: Indiana lost to Penn State in both regular season matchups this year, but it didn't have veteran point guard Xavier Johnson in either game. The Hoosiers are 4-0 since Johnson's return from injury, and his presence could help against Ace Baldwin Jr. and Penn State's press on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament. CLICK HERE
- MEET THE OPPONENT, PENN STATE: Penn State beat Indiana in both regular season matchups, but the Hoosiers have won four in a row and will have Xavier Johnson for the first time against the Nittany Lions in Thursday's second-round matchup in the Big Ten Tournament. Here's a full breakdown of Penn State. CLICK HERE
