Second defeat in a row on the road

Penn State New Kensington Falls Short Against Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 84-65

Penn State New Kensington put forth a strong effort but ultimately came up short against Penn State Wilkes-Barre, falling 84-65 in a competitive matchup. Despite their best attempts to keep pace, New Kensington struggled to match Wilkes-Barre's rebounding dominance and free-throw efficiency.

Game Recap

First Half:
New Kensington started the game with energy, with Ta'Rasi Means leading the scoring effort early. Wilkes-Barre, however, quickly gained control behind the dominant inside presence of Jedidiah Ashton, who recorded a double-double in the opening half. Strong offensive rebounding by Wilkes-Barre allowed them to extend possessions and build a lead heading into halftime.

Second Half:
Wilkes-Barre pulled away in the second half, fueled by balanced scoring from their starters and key contributions from the bench. While New Kensington showed resilience, with Jadyn Benson and Andre Hayes making key plays, their inability to limit Wilkes-Barre's second-chance points and transition opportunities proved costly.

Wilkes-Barre's stellar 82.8% free-throw shooting (24-29) sealed the game, while New Kensington's struggles at the line (55.6%, 15-27) hindered any chance of a comeback.

Stat Leaders for Penn State New Kensington:

• Points:

  • Ta'Rasi Means: 16 points, 2 rebounds
  • Jadyn Benson: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
  • Andre Hayes: 8 points, 3 assists

• Rebounds:

  • Mekhi Murray: 6 rebounds
  • Dre Jones: 4 rebounds
  • Olwadara Idowu: 4 rebounds

• Assists:

  • Andre Hayes: 3
  • Dre Jones: 3
  • Ta'Rasi Means: 1

Key Team Stats:

• Field Goal Percentage:

  • New Kensington: 40.4% (23-57)
  • Wilkes-Barre: 47.5% (29-61)

• Three-Point Shooting:

  • New Kensington: 28.6% (4-14)
  • Wilkes-Barre: 14.3% (2-14)

• Free Throws:

  • New Kensington: 55.6% (15-27)
  • Wilkes-Barre: 82.8% (24-29)

• Rebounds:

  • New Kensington: 25
  • Wilkes-Barre: 56