Penn State Continues Quick Start

Matt Gaudio scored 16 points and Penn State ended 67 years of basketball at Rec Hall in style Sunday, remaining undefeated and establishing the school’s best start ever with a 79-50 victory over Wisconsin.

Calvin Booth, Penn State’s 6-11 center, dominated the first half defensively, blocking four shots and changing countless others. The redshirt freshman came into the game leading the Big Ten with 4.7 blocks a game.

Wisconsin cut Penn State’s early lead to 18-15, but the Nittany Lions went on a 10-0 run, including five points by Booth.

Pete Lisicky made a three-point shot from the corner as time expired in the first half to put the Nittany Lions up, 37-21.

Penn State opened a 47-26 lead in the second half after Gaudio made a three-point basket, followed by two free throws by Dan Earl.

The Badgers cut the lead to 47-33 on a basket by Hennessy Auriantal. But after Wisconsin’s Sean Daugherty missed a short jumper, Lisicky made a three-point basket to put Penn State back up, 50-35, and the Nittany Lions were never challenged again.

The Nittany Lions, 11-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten, will open the 15,000-seat Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday against Minnesota. Wisconsin (9-5, 1-1) plays at Indiana on Wednesday.