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Takeaways from Penn State Basketball’s victory over Loyola MD

By Alec Whitaker

Penn State Basketball guard Myles Dread (Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)
Penn State Basketball guard Myles Dread (Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Penn State Basketball is off to a solid start this season with two easy wins before being tested by Butler next week. 

Penn State basketball took down Loyola (MD) 90-65 on Thursday night at the Bryce Jordan Center as the Nittany Lions improved to 2-0.

Much like in the season opener against Winthrop, it was an offensive onslaught for Penn State basketball as it surpassed 90 points for the second straight game. For comparison, the Nittany Lions only scored 90 or more points once last year, and that was a double overtime win over Iowa.

Penn State shot a ridiculous 53% from three-point range on Thursday night, hitting 16 long balls. This comes after the Lions made 18 from deep in the opener.

Veteran Myles Dread led the three-point barrage, going 4-7 from long range and finishing with 12 points. Transfer Cam Wynter led the way in scoring for Penn State Basketball, dropping 18 points, with nine coming via the three pointer.

After leading the team in scoring against Winthrop, Jalen Pickett only had five points on Thursday. However, he led the team with 11 assists on the night. His versatility to be the top scorer one day and then be a distributor the next, is what makes him so valuable to this team.

The game was never really in doubt for the Nittany Lions as they got out to an early 14-6 lead on Loyola. The gap did close to 21-19 around the eight-minute mark of the first half, but Dread answered with a three-pointer and the Lions never looked back.

Games like this are exactly what head coach Micah Shrewsberry is looking for. Have his veterans get out to a big lead and allow his young and talented freshmen to gain some valuable experience.

Four members of the freshmen class saw action in this game. Big man Kebba Njie led the way with 12 points and six rebounds. He gave Shrewsberry some valuable minutes considering starting forward Caleb Dorsey was in some early foul trouble.

All in all, this was a great game for Penn State basketball and a solid tune up before facing a step up in competition Monday against Butler.

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