Penn State came into Saturday’s game against Bucknell having lost three straight.
But the team was a 20.5-point favorite over 2-7 Bucknell, so it’s safe to say it was expected to win.
Well, things don’t always go according to plan. Bucknell, which came in 2-7, beat Penn State, 76-67, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Leading the way for Bucknell were Jack Forrest, who had 23 points, and Noah Williamson, a 7-footer who ended with 21.
The teams were even at the start, with Penn State leading 11-8 at the first media timeout.
There wasn’t a lot of scoring over the next several minutes, with Penn State taking a 14-13 lead into the U12 media timeout with 9:48 left in the half.
Bucknell continued to hang tough— even taking a 20-19 lead— but buckets by Qudus Wahab and Kanye Clary put Penn State in from, 23-20, at the under-eight timeout which didn’t come until there was 5:21 left in the half
A basket by Rayquanwndis Mitchell made it 25-20, which is where it stayed until the U4 timeout. At the half, Penn State led 33-27. Qudus Wahab led the way with 10 points and five rebounds. For Bucknell,
Jack Forrest carried the squad with 18 of the 27 points.
Bucknell continued to hang in early in the second half, trailing just 41-37 at the first media timeout. The teams were tied at 45 at the next media break.
By the time there was 4:14 left, Bucknell led, 59-58.
With 2:48 left, a three by Bucknell’s Noah Williamson made it 64-62. With 1:35 left, Quin Berger hit a 3 to make it 69-63, Bucknell.
Penn State’s Puff Johnson missed a 3 with 40 seconds left. With 30 seconds left and Penn State down 73-65, Nick Kern made a bucket and had a chance for an and-one. But Kern missed the free throw.
Penn State’s next game is Wednesday’s Big Ten opener at Maryland. Tip-off is scheduled for 7.
