DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In a standout performance, senior Nick Kern Jr. contributed significantly off the bench with 20 points and 13 rebounds, marking his first career double-double. His efforts propelled the Penn State Nittany Lions to an 85-66 triumph against Fordham in the semifinal round of the Sunshine Slam Beach Division on Monday.

With this victory, the Nittany Lions have secured an impressive start to their season, winning their first six games—a record not matched since the 1999-2000 season. They are set to compete against the winner of the other semifinal between Clemson and San Francisco for the championship title on Tuesday.

Kern displayed exceptional shooting skills, hitting 9 of 12 shots and converting 2 of 5 from the free-throw line. Notably, four of his rebounded balls came on the offensive end, underscoring his tenacity on the court. Additionally, teammate Zach Hicks contributed 16 points with three successful 3-point shots, while Puff Johnson added 15 points. Both Ace Baldwin Jr. and Konan Niederhauser chipped in 12 points each, showcasing a well-rounded offensive effort.

For Fordham, Jackie Johnson III and substitute Josh Rivera led their team with 15 points each. Romad Dean recorded a solid performance with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Jahmere Tripp added 13 points along with four steals coming off the bench.

The Nittany Lions took control of the game early, with Hicks scoring 10 points and Johnson contributing nine to secure a 42-34 advantage by halftime. The momentum shifted in their favor as Hicks sparked a 15-4 run with a jumper followed by a 3-pointer, allowing Penn State to maintain their lead throughout the game.

In the second half, Kern further solidified his impact by scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds, while Niederhauser contributed 10 points along with seven rebounds. Together, they helped the Nittany Lions outscore Fordham 43-32 in the final half.

Entering the game, Penn State was averaging an impressive 98.2 points per game, the second highest in the nation. They recorded a shooting percentage of 52.6% from the floor, making 5 out of 14 from beyond the arc and 20 of 32 at the charity stripe. On the other hand, Fordham finished with 48.1% shooting efficiency, hitting 4 of 18 from three-point range and 10 of 20 from the free-throw line.

Leading the Rams is Keith Urgo, who previously served as an assistant coach at Penn State from 2012 to 2021 and is now in his third year at the helm of Fordham’s program.