Skip to main content

Penn State fans storm court after upset win against No. 8 Purdue

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax12/05/24

BarkleyTruax

Penn State
© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Penn State fans wasted little time find the center of the court inside Bryce Jordan Center after Penn State upset No. 8 Purdue 81-70 on Thursday.

The Nittany Lions took an early first half lead and never looked back as they improve to 8-1 on the young season, starting out Big Ten Conference play with a big-time upset win.

The scene after the game showcased how important the victory meant to the Nittany Lions faithful as the hot start to the 2024-25 campaign continues.

Penn State led the Boilermakers 40-24 at halftime and despite Purdue’s rally in the second half, the lead was too much for the No. 8 team in the country.

It’s the Nittany Lions’ first win over a top 10 opponent since Dec. 10, 2019 when Penn State defeated No. 4 Maryland, 78-61. This is now the best start to the season since 2014-15 for the Nittany Lions. That year’s team eventually started 12-1.

Top 10

  1. 1

    SEC Football Schedule

    Week by week schedule revealed

    Live
  2. 2

    Rich Rodriguez

    WVU expected to hire former HC

  3. 3

    Belichick contract

    Details out on UNC deal

    New
  4. 4

    Garrett Nussmeier

    LSU QB announces 2025 return

  5. 5

    Bill Belichick

    UNC finalizing deal with legend

View All

Save $30 on your first month of Fubo by CLICKING HERE NOW!

For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Senior guard Ace Baldwin Jr. led the team in scoring during the contest, logging 17 points, six assists and two rebounds across 29 minutes on the court on Thursday. He was one of five Nittany Lions to score in double figures, as three other starters and Nick Kern Jr. off the bench all broke the double-digit scoring mark during the game.

Defensively, Penn State forced Purdue into commiting 24 turnovers during the matchup.

Penn State began the season 6-0 before matching up against Clemson — who just knocked off No. 4 Kentucky — in the Sunshine Slam championship game. They bounced back against Buffalo with a 23-point win on Sunday before taking on Purdue on Thursday.

Looking ahead, Penn State will rest this weekend before traveling to Rutgers on Tuesday for their second Big Ten matchup of the season. They’ll take a break from conference action against Coppin State, Drexel and Penn to round of the 2024 calendar year before rebooting Big Ten play on Jan. 2 against Northwestern at home.