Roko Prkacin delivered a dominant performance in his Penn State debut, scoring 28 points on an efficient 12-of-14 shooting night to lead the Nittany Lions to a decisive 97-57 victory over Canisius. The matchup served as the season opener for both programs, but the talent gap was evident as Penn State controlled the pace and tempo from the opening tip. Prkacin’s scoring prowess was the centerpiece of the offense, complemented by a balanced attack that kept the Golden Griffins at bay throughout the contest.
Nittany Lions dominate season opener with 55% shooting and a 40-point margin of victory.
Ivan Juric anchored the interior with a double-double, contributing 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to secure the glass. The Nittany Lions built an insurmountable lead in the first half, trailing by as many as 22 points and entering the break with a 47-26 advantage. The game effectively ended early in the second half when Prkacin outscored Canisius 12-2 over a three-minute stretch, extending the lead to 66-35. By the final minute, the margin had swelled to a record 42 points, with the score hitting 96-54.
Penn State’s offensive execution was flawless, finishing the night shooting 55% from the field and converting 21 of 29 free throw attempts. Josh Reed added 12 points off the bench, providing depth to the rotation. On the other side of the ball, Clinton Efinda led Canisius with 13 points, while Preist Ryan added 12, but the Golden Griffins could not overcome the Nittany Lions’ superior shooting and rebounding. The lopsided result sets a high bar for the Big Ten season as Penn State looks to maintain this level of dominance.
Source: Yahoo Sports
