Penn State Basketball Overcomes Early Season Struggles with Key Win Against Minnesota

SEATTLE (AP) – Freddie Dilione V scored 16 points, Josh Reed added 14, and Penn State Nittany Lions beat Washington Huskies 63-60 on Wednesday night, February 12, 2026. The victory marked a crucial bounce-back for the Nittany Lions, who had been facing a challenging stretch in the Big Ten Conference.

A Response to Previous Setback

The win against Minnesota came after a particularly difficult loss to Washington on February 11, 2026, a game that prompted self-reflection from Penn State guard Zoom Diallo. Diallo, who struggled with his shooting in the loss to Washington (3 of 15 from the field), admitted to feeling “a little bit of guilt” about his performance and proactively reviewed the game footage twice to identify areas for improvement.

“The one thing I learned about college is you have to move on,” Diallo said.

Coaching Perspective on the Washington Loss

Penn State head coach Danny Sprinkle and his staff were also deeply affected by the loss to Washington, finding it difficult to understand how the team had only scored 60 points despite numerous opportunities close to the basket. Sprinkle noted that the Huskies missed 17 layups during the game.

Diallo’s Improved Performance Against Minnesota

Diallo demonstrated significant improvement in the game against Minnesota, converting 7 of 8 shots, including his only 3-point attempt, and both free throws for a total of 17 points. He also reduced his turnovers to 4 and increased his assists to 4.

Challenges Faced by Washington

The Huskies faced their own challenges, playing with only nine scholarship players due to an injury to sophomore forward Bryson Tucker, who was nursing an injured thumb. Despite the limited roster, Washington fought hard but ultimately fell short against Penn State.

Looking Ahead

Penn State will continue their road trip with a game against Oregon on Saturday. Washington will host Minnesota on Saturday.

Source: CBS Sports