Penn State Continues Quick Start

STATE COLLEGE, PA. — 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.