Penn State men’s basketball is in the national spotlight following its close loss to No. 12 Texas A&M in the ESPN Events Invitational Thursday.

Guard Nick Kern Jr.’s second half dunk was featured as the No. 2 play on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays Friday.

NICK. KERN. JUNIOR. pic.twitter.com/PxkYYGcUnq

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 23, 2023

Myles Dread’s game-winner over VCU and then-Rams head coach Mike Rhoades in 2020 was the last Penn State hoops highlight featured on SportsCenter.

In the Nittany Lions’ outing against the Aggies, Kern recorded nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal through 24 minutes. Kern has started in all five of Penn State’s games thus far and has registered a total of 29 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, six steals, and six blocks.

Kern’s dunk went over the head of 6’7″ Texas A&M forward Andersson Garcia and began a momentum shift for the Nittany Lions’ second half offensive push.

The blue and white fell short in the end but will turn around and play Butler at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 24, in Orlando, Florida. The winner of the matchup with play either VCU or Boise State for fifth place in the invitational tournament.