STATE COLLEGE — Things in Happy Valley were bleak earlier this week.

Penn State opened 2025 Big Ten play with a 41-point loss at the hands of Indiana on Tuesday. In a transitional year for coach Mike Rhoades with a young roster pieced together via high school and international recruiting, the showing didn’t give much hope for the rest of the campaign.

That was, until Saturday afternoon. Penn State hosted No. 9 Michigan State for its home conference opener and had the Spartans on the ropes.

The Nittany Lions rode a six-minute stretch in the middle of the first half to jump on a 20-5 run over Michigan State. It turned into a 39-36 halftime lead, with a well-attended Bryce Jordan Center bringing the noise.

But Penn State’s youth showed late in the game. The Lions missed six straight sho

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