In Penn State basketball’s 103-54 win over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the team scored 100 points in consecutive games for the first time in program history.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser controlled the game on both ends of the floor with 18 points, nine rebounds and four stocks (two blocks and steals). Meanwhile, D’Marco Dunn has fully embraced his bench role, contributing 16 points on an efficient 5-of-7 (2-for-3 from downtown). Rounding out the double-digit scorers were Zach Hicks (12 points and three blocks) Nick Kern Jr. (10 points) and Jahvin Carter (12 points, 3-of-3 from three).
Only two players for UMBC registered double digit points, with Bryce Johnson scoring 13 and Marcus Banks reaching 11.
Overall, Penn State shot 55 percent from the field and 43 percent from behind the arc. Defensively, PSU stonewalled UMBC into 29 percent shooting from the field and 17 turnovers.
Both teams got off to a slow start as the game was scoreless through the first two minutes. Then, Niederhauser scored the first four points for Penn State, followed by Freddie Dilione V converting on an and-one for a combined seven points in 37 seconds.
At the 13:25 mark, Penn State had held UMBC to only two made field goals while dominating the paint on offense. 12 of the Penn State’s first 17 points came around the basket.
Niederhauser established himself early and often, amassing 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks in the first half. But, even with his dominant play, UMBC’s fast pace of play fueled an 8-0 run, bookmarked by an Ace Valentine layup at the 8:35 mark.
A floater by Dilione V and Penn State’s first three of the night by Hicks pushed the PSU lead back to double digits with 6:37 left in the first. UMBC wouldn’t be within single digits for the remainder of the half.
To start the second half, Puff Johnson scored five of the first seven points for PSU, extending the lead to 50-28. Eight minutes into the half, Penn State outscored UMBC 23-8, ballooning the lead to 30. UMBC would never get closer than that margin.
Penn State will continue its homestand against Saint Francis on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
