The Penn State men's basketball team survived a scare from St. Francis pulling out a 65-58 win in each teams first game. The Nittany Lions led by a single point with just over seven minutes left in the game before pulling away from the Red Flash.  Senior Tim Frazier led Penn State with 23 points and finished 17 of 18 from the free throw line.  Transfer guard D.J. Newbill scored 16 points in his Lion debut.

St. Francis was playing the first game under new head coach Rob Krimmel. The Flash shot nearly 47% from the field to stay with the Lions until midway through the second half.  Guard Ollie Jackson led the team in scoring with 19 points.

Penn State returns to action against 6th ranked North Carolina State on Thursday in Puerto Rico. St. Francis travels to Niagra for their next game on Tuesday.