More photos » Ralph Wilson - AP

about 1 month ago: Penn State's Tim Frazier (23) looks to pass while Indiana's Jeremiah Rivers (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in State College, Pa., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Ralph Wilson)

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For the fourth time in six Big Ten games, Indiana played very well in the first half.  Unlike in prior games against Minnesota and Illinois, IU held strong in the waning minutes, and after briefly tying the game at 40, Penn State never again seriously challenged.  IU played through foul trouble, and Jeremiah Rivers fouled out in only 17 minutes of play.  Devan Dumes scored 15 off the bench, Verdell Jones added 14, and the Hoosiers won on an opposing team's home court for the first time since February 23, 2008. 

As I have mentioned many times, the schedule toughens up soon, but the Hoosiers do host Iowa on Sunday and have the chance to move above .500, for however briefly, both overall and in the Big Ten standings.  That would have been hard to imagine a month ago when IU lost to Loyola (Md.).  Progress continues.