Zach Hicks scores 22 to lead Penn State to opening win
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UNIVERSITY PARK — Zach Hicks scored 22 points to lead six players in double figures, and Penn State breezed to a 108-66 victory over Binghamton on Monday night in the Nittany Lions’ season opener.
Hicks sank 9 of 12 shots from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range for Penn State, which opened with a victory for the eighth straight season.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser totaled 16 points and seven rebounds for the Nittany Lions. Ace Baldwin Jr. made four of his five 3-pointers and scored 15. D’Marco Dunn had 12 points, and Fred Dilione V and reserve Dominick Stewart both scored 10.
Evan Ashe led the Bearcats with 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting with two 3-pointers. Tymu Chenery hit two 3-pointers and scored 13, but he had six of his team’s 21 turnovers. Chris Walker added 12 points off the bench.
Penn State shot 51% from the floor (35 for 69) and made 13 of 31 from beyond the arc (42%).
Binghamton hit only 9 of 28 shots in the first half (32%) in falling behind 54-23 and never made a run after halftime.
Penn State and Binghamton played once before — an 80-65 victory for the Nittany Lions in 2017.
Binghamton posted 15 wins last season, its most in 15 years. The Bearcats’ win total has increased in each of the last three seasons under coach Levell Sanders.