STATE COLLEGE — David Jackson scored 26 points to lead Penn State to a 87-75 win over Sacred Heart on Wednesday night.
Talor Battle added 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Nittany Lions (4-2).
Corey Hassan scored 24 points and had seven rebounds, while Chauncy Hardy added 21 points for the Pioneers (2-3).
Penn States success offensively came from the 3-point line, shooting 46.2 percent (6-for-13).
The first half was back and forth, with five tied scores and six lead changes. But the Nittany Lions pulled away with just under 3:30 left before halftime, going on a 12-5 run to close out the first half.
The Pioneers did not pose a threat again until late, when they brought the score to 62-61.
A breakaway layup by Tim Frazier with just over six minutes left in regulation gave Penn State enough cushion, putting the Nittany Lions ahead by five.
The Pioneers hit 10 3-pointers in the second half after making just one in the first half.
Hassan kept the game close for Sacred Heart, scoring 13 points in the second half. He leads the Pioneers this season, averaging 26.5 points per game and
7.5 rebounds.
Penn State finished with nine steals and caused 17 Sacred Heart turnovers. The Nittany Lions also shot 63.8 percent from the floor (30-for-47), while Sacred Heart shot 50.8 percent (30-for-59).
Ryan Litke added 10 points for the Pioneers.
