BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Penn State men's basketball team erased a 15-point second-half deficit to rally past St. Bonaventure, 68-65, in a thrilling exhibition contest Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Nittany Lions overcame an 11-point halftime deficit and outscored the Bonnies 43-29 in the second half to secure the comeback victory. Penn State trailed by as many as 15 points with 16:42 remaining before putting together an impressive second-half performance on both ends of the floor.
Josh Reed led the Nittany Lions with a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds, while Roberts Blums provided a spark off the bench with 17 points and four 3-pointers. Thomas Allard added 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Ivan Juric rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and five rebounds.
Jay Rodgers orchestrated the Penn State offense with a game-high eight assists and two steals.
After trailing 36-25 at halftime, the Nittany Lions found themselves facing their largest deficit of the afternoon, 43-28, less than four minutes into the second half.
Penn State began chipping away at the deficit behind timely perimeter shooting and an improved defensive effort. A Blums’ 3-pointer brought the Nittany Lions within 10 at 44-34 with 15:28 remaining and Penn State continued its push to cut the deficit to seven, 49-42, following a Brant Byers layup with 10:23 to play.
The Nittany Lions continued their comeback in the closing minutes, with Blums knocking down a clutch 3-pointer to bring Penn State within one, 59-58, with 4:21 remaining.
Reed followed with a go-ahead jumper at the 3:35 mark to give Penn State its first lead of the contest, 60-59.
After St. Bonaventure regained the advantage, Juric delivered a crucial driving layup with 1:19 remaining to put the Nittany Lions back in front, 66-65.
Penn State's defense held strong down the stretch, holding the Bonnies without a field goal over the final 1:49. Reed then knocked down a pair of free throws with eight seconds remaining to seal the 68-65 victory.
The Nittany Lions were outstanding offensively in the second half, shooting 59 percent (13-for-22) from the field and 57 percent (4-for-7) from beyond the arc.
Penn State's defensive adjustments proved equally important, limiting St. Bonaventure to just 26 percent (6-for-23) shooting in the final 20 minutes, including a 2-for-9 effort from 3-point range.
The Nittany Lions finished the afternoon shooting 46 percent (22-for-48) from the field and 43 percent (9-for-21) from deep. Penn State also held a 36-30 rebounding advantage and dished out 15 assists on 22 made field goals.
Reed was particularly effective down the stretch, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the second half and connecting on all eight of his free-throw attempts over the final 20 minutes.
POST GAME NOTES
- Penn State rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to earn a 68-65 exhibition victory over St. Bonaventure at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
- The Nittany Lions outscored the Bonnies 43-29 in the second half after trailing 36-25 at halftime.
- Penn State took its first lead of the game, 60-59, on a Josh Reed jumper with 3:35 remaining.
- The Nittany Lions shot 59 percent (13-for-22) from the field and 57 percent (4-for-7) from 3-point range in the second half.
- Penn State's defense held St. Bonaventure to 26 percent (6-for-23) shooting in the second half, including 22 percent (2-for-9) from beyond the arc.
- The Nittany Lions held the Bonnies without a field goal for the final 1:49 of regulation.
- Penn State finished with a 36-30 advantage on the glass, including a 27-22 edge in defensive rebounds.
- The Nittany Lions connected on nine 3-pointers, shooting 42.9 percent (9-for-21) from beyond the arc.
- Penn State finished with 15 assists on 22 made field goals.
- The Nittany Lion bench contributed 21 points, led by Roberts Blums' 17.
- Penn State committed just 11 turnovers while forcing 14 St. Bonaventure turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions travel to Philadelphia for their second and final exhibition on Monday, Oct. 26 at Drexel inside the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Penn State opens the 2026-27 regular season at home on Monday, Nov. 2 by welcoming Canisius to the Bryce Jordan Center at 7:30 p.m.
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