Box Score UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Despite 19 points from senior forward Kadeem Jack on 8-of-12 shooting, Rutgers (10-11, 2-6) fell, 79-51, to Penn State (13-7, 1-6) on Saturday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Nittany Lions shot 50 percent (10-of-20) from behind the arc to capture victory before the home crowd.
"Give Penn State credit," said Rutgers head coach Eddie Jordan. "They got into us, they made shots and they ran their offense. D.J. Newbill was very good and we just didn't get a handle on their pick-and-roll schemes. We didn't handle anything well today."
PSU made 50.0 percent (29-of-57) of its field goal attempts, while the Scarlet Knights shot 43.8 percent (21-of-48). The home squad also established a 32-28 advantage on the glass.
"Sometimes, there's a silver lining," Jordan said. "You have to dig deep to find a silver lining after a game like this. I like the way Kadeem behaved. I like the way Myles (Mack) behaved. Sometimes that means a lot when you're getting your tail kicked."
The Scarlet Knights started strong from the field, making 6-of-8 to open the game. However, Penn State countered with four early threes to keep within reach as RU held a 15-12 lead.
The Nittany Lions then responded with an 18-5 run, taking the lead and pushing it into double digits at 30-20. The Scarlet Knights had a 5-0 burst to cut into their deficit, but PSU finished the half strong for a 41-28 advantage at the midpoint.
Jack posted 14 points in the first half for the Scarlet Knights, shooting 6-of-7 from the field. RU shot 52.4 percent in the opening stanza, but the Nittany Lions countered with seven three-pointers.
Penn State opened the second half with a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 50-28. The Nittany Lions controlled the momentum from there, finishing off the victory.
Twelve players saw action for Rutgers, helping RU establish a 17-14 edge in bench points.
The Scarlet Knights return home for a game on Tuesday night against Michigan State. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. The contest will be televised live nationally on the Big Ten Network.
Postgame Notes
- Kadeem Jack played in his 100th career game.
- Jack scored 19 points, reaching double digits for the fourth time in the eight conference games. Jack led the team in scoring for the fifth time this season and the 17th time in his career.
- Myles Mack scored eight points and led RU with three assists. Mack now has 1,530 career points. He passed Roy Hinson for tenth place on Rutgers' all-time scoring list.
- Mike Williams (five rebounds) led the team in rebounding for the first time in his career.
- D.J. Foreman had seven points and three rebounds in 21 minutes.
- Rutgers used the starting lineup of Myles Mack, Bishop Daniels, Malik Kone, Kadeem Jack, and Greg Lewis for the first time this season.
- Malik Kone earned the third start of his career and his first start since Nov. 26, 2013 vs. Farleigh Dickinson.
- Penn State improves to 38-30 all-time versus Rutgers and 25-8 at Penn State.
