GAME DAY: Penn State MBB vs. New Haven

GAME 5: PENN STATE VS. NEW HAVEN

Penn State returns to the Bryce Jordan Center to continue its non-conference slate against New Haven, looking to improve to 4-1 overall and remain unbeaten on its home court.

The Nittany Lions enter the contest with a 3-1 record following a 72-57 victory over Mercyhurst on Thursday night. Penn State has won all three of its home games this season, defeating Canisius (97-57), Chattanooga (97-93) and Mercyhurst (72-57).

Penn State is averaging 85.5 points per game while holding opponents to 72.3 points per contest, resulting in a +13.3 scoring margin.

New Haven enters the matchup at 1-2 overall after picking up its first victory of the season, defeating Army West Point, 63-55, on Tuesday night. The Chargers opened the season with road losses against Syracuse and Rutgers.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE

Jurić has established himself as one of Penn State's most consistent performers AND HAS recorded a double-double in every contest.

Jurić is averaging 16.3 points and a team-leading 13.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 58.6 percent (17-of-29) from the field.

The Zagreb, Croatia native has already collected 53 rebounds, including 18 offensive boards, while averaging 25.2 minutes per game.

Jurić opened the season with 15 rebounds against Canisius, followed by 10 against Chattanooga and 13 against Pitt before matching his season high with 15 against Mercyhurst.

His performance against the Lakers included a season-high 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting, marking his fourth consecutive game scoring in double figures.

Jurić also leads the team with four blocked shots and has converted 29 free throws through four games.

Through the first four contests, Jurić has recorded twice as many double-doubles as he registered during the entire 2025-26 campaign, when he finished with two in 30 games.

PRKAČIN MAKING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Prkačin has been remarkably efficient offensively, connecting on 25 of his first 30 field goal attempts for an impressive 83.3 shooting percentage.

The Zagreb, Croatia native delivered a statement performance in Penn State's season opener against Canisius, pouring in a team-high 28 points.

Prkačin has scored in double figures in each of his first four games, averaging 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.

Against Mercyhurst, Prkačin finished with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, marking his third game of the season shooting at least 80 percent from the floor.

Through four games, Prkačin has totaled 66 points in just 99 minutes of action, giving Penn State an efficient and reliable offensive presence in the frontcourt.

BOWEN DIRECTING THE OFFENSE

Bowen has provided a reliable presence in Penn State's backcourt, averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Bowen leads the Nittany Lions with 15 assists while committing just two turnovers through four contests, producing an outstanding 7.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Against Mercyhurst, Bowen delivered his best passing performance of the season, dishing out seven assists without committing a turnover in nearly 33 minutes.

Bowen scored a season-high 17 points against Pitt at The Palestra, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line.

The veteran guard has converted 15 of his 17 free throw attempts this season, shooting 88.2 percent from the line.

RELIABLE REED

Reed has been a steady presence for Penn State, averaging 13.8 points and 5.0 rebounds through the first four contests.

Reed has appeared in 133 career games, providing the Nittany Lions with valuable experience and versatility on both ends of the court.

The veteran forward delivered one of the best performances of his collegiate career against Chattanooga, tying his career high with 25 points.

Against the Mocs, Reed converted 15 of his 16 free throw attempts and recorded five steals, showcasing his ability to impact the game offensively and defensively.

Reed is shooting an impressive 91.7 percent (22-of-24) from the charity stripe this season.

Defensively, Reed leads Penn State with nine steals through four games, including a team-high five against Chattanooga.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

4 — Consecutive double-doubles to begin the season for Jurić, who has recorded at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of Penn State's four games.

83.3% — Prkačin's field goal percentage through four games, connecting on 25-of-30 attempts while averaging a team-high 16.5 points per contest.

3-0 — Penn State's record at the Bryce Jordan Center this season.

13.3 — Rebounds per game for Jurić, who has collected 53 boards through four contests, including two 15-rebound performances.

7.5 — Bowen's assist-to-turnover ratio through four games, recording 15 assists against just two turnovers.

+10.5 — Penn State's average rebounding margin, with the Nittany Lions averaging 40.3 rebounds compared to 29.8 for their opponents.

27.3 — Free throws made per game by Penn State. The Nittany Lions have converted 109 of their 141 attempts through four contests.

91.7% — Reed's free throw shooting percentage this season, having connected on 22 of his 24 attempts from the charity stripe.

85.5 — Points per game for Penn State, which has scored 97 points twice and is shooting 48.8 percent from the field.

4 — Nittany Lions averaging double figures in scoring: Prkačin (16.5), Jurić (16.3), Reed (13.8) and Wibaut (10.0).

51.0% — Penn State's field goal percentage against Mercyhurst, marking its second game this season shooting at least 50 percent from the floor.

700 — Career scoring milestone within reach for Reed, who enters the matchup with 693 points.