Rutgers 80-76 Penn State (December 10, 2024) Game Recap

PISCATAWAY, NJ – Dylan Harper finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, fellow freshman Ace Bailey totaled 15 points and 15 rebounds and Rutgers held off Penn State 80-76 on Tuesday night.

Harper sank three straight 3-pointers to cap an 11-0 run for a 13-7 lead, and Rutgers (6-4, 1-1 Big Ten Conference) never trailed again. Harper had 15 points at halftime and the Scarlet Knights took a 48-33 lead. Rutgers grabbed 10 more rebounds and had a 22-12 bench lead at halftime.

Ace Baldwin Jr. hit a jumper to get Penn State within two minutes with 1:56 to play. Bailey missed a layup but was able to put it back up 79-75 with 50 seconds left. Baldwin had a good look from 3-point range after receiving an inbounds pass with 10.3 seconds left, but it rolled and Bailey secured the rebound before being fouled.

Harper and Bailey both set season highs for rebounds. It was the third double-double for Bailey and the first for Harper.

Zach Hicks made 6 of 10 shots from 3-point range and scored 20 points to lead Penn State (8-2, 1-1). Freddie Dilione V had 14 points and Nick Kern added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Penn State returns home to play Coppin State on Saturday. Rutgers hosts Seton Hall on Saturday in the Garden State Hardwood Classic.

——– Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP College Basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-toWp-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball