UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Wednesday night, Penn State triumphed over Purdue Fort Wayne with a score of 102-89, marking another step in their undefeated season. Ace Baldwin Jr. showcased his skills by scoring 25 points and delivering 11 assists, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser contributed significantly with a double-double, netting 16 points and securing 10 rebounds.

In addition to Baldwin and Niederhauser, Zach Hicks added 17 points to the scoreboard, while Nick Kern Jr. and Freddie Dilione V both made impactful contributions with 13 and 11 points respectively. Puff Johnson also chipped in with 11 points, demonstrating the depth of the team’s offensive strategies.

Penn State, now boasting a perfect record of 5-0, exhibited impressive shooting accuracy, hitting 34 of their 61 attempts (55.7%) and showing strong distribution with a total of 25 assists throughout the game.

On the opposing side, Jalen Jackson had a standout performance for Purdue Fort Wayne, achieving a career-high of 31 points. Corey Handnot II also excelled off the bench, scoring a personal best of 20 points. Meanwhile, Eric Mulder added 12 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting spree while gathering 11 rebounds for the Mastodons, who connected on 12 of their 28 shots from beyond the arc (42.9%).

The Nittany Lions found their momentum in the second half, with Baldwin’s three-pointer at the 13-minute mark propelling them into a 64-62 lead—one they maintained for the rest of the game. Hicks further solidified their advantage with another three-pointer, extending the lead to double digits at 81-69 with just over eight minutes left in play.

Purdue Fort Wayne had initially built a considerable lead, reaching 47-36 late in the first half after a 16-7 run over nearly three minutes. Jalen Jackson’s three-pointer and Baldwin’s free throws helped narrow the gap, closing the half with Purdue Fort Wayne at 47-41.

This victory marks the first time Penn State has started a season at 5-0 since the 2019-20 season, continuing their positive streak against Purdue Fort Wayne, whom they have faced only twice in history. Their previous encounter occurred on December 28, 2005, where Penn State emerged victorious with a score of 74-59 at the Bryce Jordan Center.