The Penn State men’s and women’s basketball teams have, for the most part, concluded their non-conference games and have opened up Big Ten conference play.

After a 4-0 start, the men’s team picked up another win against Harvard before dropping their first of the season to Providence. The Nittany Lions picked up three more wins against Boston University, Sacred Heart, and Campbell before losing their Big Ten opener against Indiana. They now sit at 8-2.

Also starting the season 4-0, the Lady Lions would drop their first game of the season against Princeton in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. They picked up two more wins against San Diego State and Yale before dropping their Big Ten opener against Nebraska and a non-conference game against Arizona State.

Our photographers were there to capture the latter half of non-conference play and the start of conference play.

Wednesday, November 19th

Looking to remain undefeated, the Nittany Lions faced off against Harvard. Both teams were neck and neck throughout the entire game, with the Crimson actually leading at halftime 38-35. Penn State came back and narrowly won this game 84-80, despite shooting just 26% from three.

Freshman guard Kayden Mingo led the charge for the Nittany Lions, leading both the team and game in scoring with 24 points in 31 minutes.

Tuesday, December 2nd

Looking to start the new month well, the Nittany Lions faced off against Campbell. Campbell, who had been battle tested, having already faced three power conference schools in Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wake Forest, was able to hang in the game with Penn State. Penn State would win this game 87-76, but could not break away from the Fighting Camels, only winning by 11 due to late intentional fouls. The Nittany Lions, however, were able to figure it out at the line this game, shooting an impressive 88%.

Freshman guard Kayden Mingo once again led the charge for the Nittany Lions, scoring 21 points, with three rebounds and four assists.

Freshman forward Ivan Jurić and senior forward Josh Reed also supported the Nittany Lions in their win, with both players scoring 16 points, accompanied by two rebounds.

Saturday, December 6th

The Lady Lions would open Big Ten conference play with their game against Nebraska at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State’s defense would struggle in this game, allowing the Cornhuskers to shoot 53% from the field and only force eight turnovers. Despite a good offensive showing from the Lady Lions, Nebraska would win this game 101-83. Gracie Merkle and Kiyomi McMiller continue to take charge offensively, scoring a combined 45 of the team’s 83 points.

Tuesday, December 9th

The men’s basketball team traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for their Big Ten opener against Indiana, falling 113-72.

The same day, the Lady Lions faced off against Arizona State at Rec Hall. After a poor performance against the Cornhuskers, the Lady Lions started hot, leading after the first quarter 18-13. Things would quickly fall apart as Penn State would get outscored 20-4 in the second quarter. Despite outscoring the Sun Devils in the fourth quarter, it was not enough as Arizona State claimed the win 74-60.

The Lady Lions’ next game will be a tough one, as they travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to take on number three-ranked South Carolina on Sunday, December 14th.

The Nittany Lions, looking to pull an improbable upset, will travel back to State College for their game on Saturday, December 13th, against the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans.