Dylan Harper leads Rutgers to narrow victory over Penn State

In a thrilling college basketball clash held on December 10, 2024, in Piscataway, New Jersey, Rutgers University faced off against Penn State and emerged victorious with a score of 80-76. The standout performers for Rutgers were freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who each made significant contributions to the team's success. Harper's dynamic performance included a total of 24 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, marking his first career double-double. Meanwhile, Bailey also delivered a strong showing, recording 15 points and an impressive 15 rebounds, securing his third double-double of the season. The game saw Harper ignite Rutgers' offense by sinking three consecutive 3-pointers, which sparked an 11-0 run and propelled the team to a 13-7 lead. Rutgers maintained control of the game thereafter, never trailing again after establishing this early advantage. By halftime, Rutgers had established a substantial 48-33 lead, bolstered by their dominance on the boards, where they out-rebounded Penn State by a significant margin and secured 22 bench points against Penn State's 12. As the second half unfolded, Penn State's Ace Baldwin Jr. attempted to narrow the gap with a jumper that brought them within two points late in the game. In the final moments, Bailey contributed a critical layup, extending Rutgers' lead to 79-75 with just 50 seconds remaining. Despite a close opportunity for Penn State, with Baldwin missing a potential game-tying 3-pointer, Bailey secured the rebound and was subsequently fouled, sealing the game for Rutgers. In addition to Harper's and Bailey's performances, Zach Hicks from Penn State led his team with 20 points, hitting 6 of 10 from 3-point range, while teammates Freddie Dilione V and Nick Kern added 14 and 10 points, respectively. As a result of this thrilling encounter, Rutgers improved to a 6-4 record and 1-1 in the Big Ten Conference, while Penn State fell to 8-2 with a similar 1-1 conference record. Looking ahead, both teams are preparing for their next matchups, with Penn State set to host Coppin State and Rutgers poised to face Seton Hall on Saturday in the Garden State Hardwood Classic. This matchup serves as a notable contest for both squads as they strive to improve their standings in the competitive landscape of college basketball.