Penn State Outlasts Washington in Thriller, Grabs 63-60 Road Win
In their first-ever trip to Seattle, the Penn State Nittany Lions made it count, gutting out a gritty 63-60 win over the Washington Huskies to open their two-game West Coast swing. It was a game defined by momentum swings, clutch shot-making, and a battle-tested Penn State squad that refused to back down in the face of a hostile environment and a relentless Huskies attack.
From the opening tip, it was clear this one was going to be a fight. Kayden Mingo and Dominick Stewart wasted no time getting the Nittany Lions on the board from deep, but Washington matched the energy early. At the first media timeout, the Huskies held a slim 9-6 edge behind six quick points from Wesley Yates III.
But Penn State responded in a big way. Freddie Dilione V attacked the rim with purpose, and Eli Rice converted a pair of strong finishes inside, sparking a 10-0 run that flipped the script. Just like that, the Nittany Lions were up 20-15 with 9:25 to go in the half, forcing Washington to regroup with a timeout.
The Huskies didn’t stay quiet for long. Hannes Steinbach, their leading scorer, found his rhythm and poured in seven points in a flash, helping Washington tie it up 20-20 by the second media break.
Back-and-forth became the theme of the night. Rice, who was perfect from the field in the first half, drilled a three to give Penn State a 29-25 lead with just over three minutes left before the break.
At halftime, the Nittany Lions held a narrow 35-32 advantage. Dilione and Yates led their respective teams with eight points apiece, while Penn State shot a solid 48% from the floor compared to Washington’s 40%.
The second half opened with fireworks. Yates knocked down a three to tie things up at 35-35, but then it was Josh Reed’s turn to take over.
The sophomore forward caught fire, rattling off eight straight points to give Penn State a 43-39 lead by the first media timeout. Reed would go on to lead all scorers with 14 points.
Rice continued to be a difference-maker, slashing to the rim for a bucket that extended the lead to 47-41 midway through the second half. But Washington wasn’t going anywhere. Steinbach kept them in it with five quick points, and then Quimari Peterson drilled a three to push the Huskies back in front, 49-48.
From there, it was a chess match. Tied at 51-51 with just under eight minutes to play, both teams traded blows down the stretch.
Dilione showed off his craftiness with a smooth finish in the lane to give Penn State a 55-54 edge. And after yet another deadlock at 57-57 with under three minutes to go, it was clear this one would be decided in the margins.
In total, the game saw 15 lead changes and eight ties-an absolute slugfest between two teams that refused to blink. But when it mattered most, the Nittany Lions made just enough plays to escape with the win.
This wasn’t just a road victory-it was a character win. The kind that builds confidence, especially for a team still finding its identity. With contributions up and down the roster and a poise that belied the pressure, Penn State showed they’re more than capable of handling the moment.
Next up: another test out West. But for now, the Nittany Lions can savor a hard-earned win in a building where few visitors feel at home.