Kanye Clary and Jameel Brown combined for 42 points as Mike Rhoades picked up an easy win in his debut as Penn State outclassed Delaware State by the score of 79-45 on Monday night at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Penn State (1-0) led wire-to-wire as after a relatively slow start 21-2 run to grow a one-point lead at 5-4 at the 16:55 mark of the first half to a 26-6 advantage at the 7:05 mark of the first half.
The run was spearheaded by Brown’s three three-pointers as Penn State played lockdown defense on the Hornets (0-1) to maintain its sizable lead for the rest of the first half.
Penn State led Delaware State 39-18 at halftime.
The second half was more of the same as Penn State continued to suffocate Delaware State as it continued to build its lead. Penn State held 28.8 percent from, the floor and 1 for 16 from beyond the arc.
Penn State won the assist battle 13-7, each team had 11 steals, and Delaware State committed 23 turnovers to Penn State’s 21.
Delaware State outrebounded Penn State 45-44, but they did secure 17 offensive rebounds.
Clary led Penn State with 22 points, followed by Brown with 20 as he was 6-for-8 from distance. Zach Hicks chipped in 12 points and made four three-pointers. Qudus Wahab had a game-high 13 rebounds, and Ace Baldwin led Penn State with five assists.
Mo player for Delaware State scored in double figures as Corey Perkins and Martaz Robinson scored nine points each.
Penn State will remain at the Bryce Jordan Center when they host Lehigh on Friday, while Delaware State will travel to the Moody Center Texas also on Friday.
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