They never had a chance.

The University of New Hampshire men's basketball team fell behind Penn State, 12-3, over the first six minutes and never recovered in a 72-45 loss to the host Nittany Lions on Sunday.

Penn State led, 39-14, at the half and 58-28 with 11:15 to play.

The hosts shot 46 percent from the field and held UNH to 22.6 shooting. No Wildcat reached double-figures scoring. Ferg Myrick and Scott Morris tallied nine points apiece to lead UNH, 4-7.

Penn State's Jermaine Marshall led all scorers with 15. The Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference improved to 7-4.

The Wildcats return to action on Sunday, Dec. 30, when they visit Colgate at 2 p.m.


Penn State 72, UNH 45

NEW HAMPSHIRE (4-6)

Bronner 2-5 0-0 6, Konan 1-8 3-3 5, Myrick 3-11 3-4 9, Pelcher 0-6 1-2 1, Rhoads 1-5 6-6 8, Matagrano 1-2 0-0 2, McDonnell 0-1 0-0 0, Morris 3-5 0-0 9, Mortenson 0-1 0-0 0, Okeke 1-6 0-0 2, Orozco 0-3 3-5 3. Totals 12-53 16-20 45.

PENN ST. (6-4)

Borovnjak 4-7 3-4 11, Colella 2-6 1-1 6, Marshall 6-12 0-0 15, Newbill 2-6 6-10 10, Taylor 4-9 0-1 10, Cooper 0-0 0-0 0, Graham 2-2 3-4 7, Jack 2-2 2-2 6, Maduegbunam 0-2 0-0 0, Montminy 1-3 0-0 3, Travis 2-5 0-0 4, Wisniewski 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 15-22 72.

Halftime: Penn St. 39-14. 3-Point Goals: New Hampshire 5-21 (Morris 3-5, Bronner 2-4, Orozco 0-1, Konan 0-2, Rhoads 0-2, Okeke 0-3, Myrick 0-4), Penn St. 7-22 (Marshall 3-5, Taylor 2-5, Montminy 1-2, Colella 1-5, Travis 0-1, Maduegbunam 0-2, Newbill 0-2). Rebounds: New Hampshire 34 (Pelcher, Rhoads 5), Penn St. 40 (Newbill, Travis 6). Assists: New Hampshire 8 (McDonnell, Pelcher, Rhoads 2), Penn St. 13 (Colella, Newbill, Marshall 3). Total Fouls: New Hampshire 19, Penn St. 17. A: (15,261).