UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Stefan Vaaks scored 15 points, Jason Edwards scored 14 points and Providence took control in the second half to beat Penn State, 77-65, on Saturday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase.
Jaylin Sellers added 13 points, and Oswin Ehrunmwunse scored 11 points for Providence (4-2).
In Penn State’s first loss of the season, reserve Freddie Dilione V scored 22 points and Melih Tunca 11 as the Nittany Lions slipped to 5-1. Tunca was the only Penn State starter in double-figure scoring, and the starting unit finished 30.5% (11 of 36) shooting.
Providence turned its 32-31 advantage into a 10-point lead as the Friars emerged from halftime with a 9-0 run. Vaaks made a 3-pointer, Sellers threw down two dunks and Edwards made a layup.
After a two-minute scoreless span by both teams later in the second half, the Nittany Lions’ Josh Reed made a 3 with 9:56 left to reduce Penn State’s deficit to 55-52. Dilione’s basket with 3:50 left got Penn State within 64-63, but it couldn’t get over the hump. Providence closed with a 13-2 run shooting 5 of 6 from the free-throw line and Vaaks making a pair of 3s in a 23-second stretch.
The Friars have won back-to-back contests and three of their last four.
Penn State features the youngest team in the country among all Power 4 schools.
