Clary scores career-high 29 and Penn State concludes nonconference play with 88-63 win over Rider

STATE COLLEGE — Kanye Clary scored 29 points on 12-of-16 shooting, and Penn State eased by Rider, 88-63, on Friday.

Clary, a sophomore, broke his previous best of 28 on an open 3-pointer with 2 minutes, 43 seconds remaining for an 86-58 lead. It came during Penn State’s 20-2 run that ballooned its lead to 30 points. Rider missed nine straight shots during the run, going without a field goal for seven-plus minutes.

D’Marco Dunn added 12 points for Penn State (7-6), which snapped a two-game losing streak in the series. Ace Baldwin Jr., who entered with 996 career points, scored 10 with nine assists.

Mervin James led Rider (3-10) with 19 points, and Allen Powell added 10. The Broncs turned it over 23 times, leading to 27 points for Penn State.

Penn State scored 26 of the opening 32 points as Rider started 3 of 15 from the field with 12 turnovers. Eight players scored for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State led 44-24 at the break after shooting 52% from the field. Rider shot 37% and turned it over 16 times.

Penn State, which wrapped up nonconference play, returns to Big Ten play Thursday at Michigan State. The Nittany Lions are 1-1 in conference play heading into January.