UNIVERSITY PARK, Penn. — In a dominating performance, Ace Baldwin Jr. achieved a double-double, leading Penn State to an 86-66 victory over Pennsylvania on Sunday. This win keeps the Nittany Lions unbeaten on their home court as they wrap up their nonconference schedule for the season. Currently boasting an 11-2 record, they will shift their focus back to Big Ten Conference action, with their next game set against Northwestern on Thursday.

Early in the match, Michael Zanoni made a notable impact for the Quakers, hitting two three-point shots in the first half, both of which briefly gave Pennsylvania the lead. Furthermore, his impressive four-point play with 5:13 left in the first half put the Quakers ahead at 24-23. However, Penn State responded, with Yanic Konan Niederhauser sinking a jumper in the closing moments to allow the home team to take a slim 34-31 lead into halftime.

The second half began with a jumper from Sam Brown, narrowing the gap to 34-33 for the Quakers. Yet, the Nittany Lions quickly retaliated, igniting a 15-6 run powered by layups from Freddie Dilione V and Baldwin, extending their lead to 49-39. By the time the game approached its final minute, Penn State had established a comfortable 26-point cushion. In the closing moments, Zanoni managed to hit two consecutive three-pointers for Pennsylvania, securing the final score.

Baldwin was flawless at the free-throw line, making all 12 attempts, contributing to Penn State’s impressive overall performance of 22 made free throws out of 26 attempts. Niederhauser also stood out, scoring 19 points and grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds. Nick Kern Jr. provided a boost off the bench, adding 13 points, while Dilione and Puff Johnson each chipped in with 11 points.

For the Quakers (4-9), Zanoni was a standout player, hitting 7 of 12 from beyond the arc and tallying a career-high 27 points. Additionally, Nick Spinoso contributed significantly to the team’s efforts with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

This victory marked a significant milestone for coach Mike Rhoades, as it was his 400th career win. The Quakers will now take a break of nearly two weeks before they commence their Ivy League schedule, starting with a game against Dartmouth on January 11.