Sumler’s 26 Points Lift Pitt Past Penn State at the Palestra

Pittsburgh held off a late Penn State rally to win 82-76 at the Palestra in Philadelphia on November 8. The game was the 150th between the in-state rivals and part of a doubleheader marking the arena’s 100th anniversary.

Sumler led Pitt with 26 points, shooting 9 for 16 from the field. He made two free throws with 13.2 seconds remaining, helping the Panthers preserve their lead. Jonathan Powell scored 13 points and recorded a career-high five steals, while Baye Ndongo also had 13 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists, before fouling out late.

Pitt took a 42-38 halftime lead after closing the first half on a 14-3 run. Penn State had gone 1 for 8 from the field over the final five minutes of the half. The Panthers improved to 3-0; Penn State fell to 2-1.

The Nittany Lions made a late push after Ndongo’s dunk put Pitt up by eight with less than two minutes to play. Ivan Juric hit a three-pointer and Josh Reed scored on a layup as Penn State narrowed the gap to 78-76. Sumler’s free throws and a late Powell dunk secured the win.

Juric finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds for Penn State, while Dasonte Bowen scored 17. Penn State hosts Mercyhurst on November 12. Pitt visits Butler on November 13.