Penn State Ends Losing Streak Against Minnesota
In a thrilling showdown on Sunday, Penn State managed to halt its eight-game loss streak by overcoming Minnesota, who now finds itself on a seven-game losing skid, with a nail-biting score of 77-75. Freddie Dilione V was instrumental in the Nittany Lions’ victory, netting 25 points, while Kayden Mingo sealed the win with a dramatic last-second shot.
Game Highlights
As the game approached the final moments, Penn State surged ahead with a decisive 9-0 run that enabled them to take a 69-58 lead with just over six minutes left on the clock. Mingo, who demonstrated sharp shooting skills, hit a crucial 3-pointer, followed by Dilione’s successful shots, which solidified the lead.
However, Minnesota wasn’t done yet. They launched a comeback led by Cade Tyson, who converted four free throws, and Langston Reynolds, who contributed two more, narrowing Penn State’s lead to 71-70 as the clock ticked down to 2:31. The two teams exchanged points, and Mingo added to Penn State’s momentum, turning a key steal into a layup, pushing the Nittany Lions ahead by three with less than a minute to play.
As the seconds dwindled, Minnesota’s Jaylen Crocker-Johnson responded with a layup, and Reynolds converted one out of two free throws, leveling the game at 75-75 with 31 seconds remaining. With the game on the line, Mingo skillfully dribbled down the clock before driving to the basket for the winning score with eight seconds left.
Player Performances
Dilione showcased exceptional shooting accuracy, hitting 11 of his 17 attempts, including a 3-pointer. His performance marked a much-needed victory for the Nittany Lions (10-12, 1-10 in Big Ten play), alongside notable contributions from Josh Reed, who scored 18 points—including four 3-pointers in the first half—and Mingo, who finished with 14 points.
The Golden Gophers (10-12, 3-8) were led by Langston Reynolds with 18 points and seven assists, while Cade Tyson added 17 points and Bobby Durkin complemented the effort with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Penn State entered halftime leading 41-31 after controlling a substantial portion of the game, though Minnesota initially held a fleeting lead.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Minnesota will travel to Baylor on Wednesday, while Penn State is set to face off against No. 7 Michigan State on the same day.
