Penn State holds off Bucknell 88-80

LEWISBURG, Pa. (AP) D.J. Newbill had 28 points and Penn State pulled away late for an 88-80 victory over Bucknell on Friday.

The Nittany Lions (6-1) never trailed but never led by more than 12.

Bucknell (2-5) tied the game once, at 66-all, with 6:19 to play. Penn State answered with a 12-4 run and held steady from there with Newbill scoring six of the Nittany Lions' last 10 points to secure the win.

Ross Travis added 14 points, and Brandon Taylor and Geno Thorpe had 12 apiece. Penn State was 8 of 15 from 3-point range and 30 of 54 from the field.

The Bison used a 16-6 run to pull even late in the second half, but Chris Hass and John Azzinaro turned the ball over on consecutive possessions to halt the momentum.

Azzinaro was 4 of 7 from 3-point range and led Bucknell with a career-high 18 points. Nana Foulland and Haas added 14 apiece, and J.C. Show scored 10.

Haas cut the deficit to 83-78 on a 3-poiner with 1:07 left and the Bison would get no closer.

Penn State led 39-33 at halftime, and Newbill scored 21 of his 28 in the second half. Taylor's 3-pointer with 6:18 left in the first half gave Penn State its largest lead at 31-19. The Bison answered with nine straight points.

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TIP-INS

Bucknell: The Bison shot 10 of 16 from 3-point range and 16 of 37 from 2-point range.

Penn State: Newbill scored over 20 points for the fifth game in a row, tallying 35, 26, 22, 29 and 28 during that stretch.

UP NEXT

Bucknell: Visits Fairfield on Monday.

Penn State: Hosts Virginia Tech on Wednesday.