Penn - The Citadel LIVE updates

A great first win for the Quakers, who looked fantastic on offense, but against a Citadel squad that has 13 freshmen on the roster, we shouldn't crown them yet. Penn's defense was better, but not yet at the level it should be.

The starting line-up of Gaines, Grandieri, Bernardini, Eggleston and Schreiber worked wonders. I'd like to calculate their +/-'s Brandon Moyse style and get those up on the buzz later. Kach played well also, knocking down some big shots. Gaines' poise and Bernardini's shooting and defense were very impressive tonight.

FINAL: Penn 93, Citadel 77

Bernardini brings the ball back around despite having a clear dunk up 19, a classy move. But then in a less-than-chivalrous move, the Bulldogs foul him.

A couple garbage threes and a foul with 5 seconds to go down 17 (???) and this game is done.

Penn 87, Citadel 71, 1:52 2nd Half

Penn breaks the press despite maybe a hold on the screen, and Kach heads to the line for 1-and-1. Not sure that was a purposeful reach-in though. He's solid, hitting both.

The Hey Song goes one verse too long here, as some fans try to drag it along.

Grandieri hits his FTs, and The Citadel are kept beyond arms length.

Penn 83, Citadel 68, 2:37 2nd Half

I get word now that Gaines has 11 assists, but he's out of the game for Cohen, so Begley's record should stand another day.

It's borderline premature up 15 with 2:40 to go, but the Red and Blue Crew gets off it's first Hey Song of the year. It's such a tiny crowd, but when Penn students have been waiting eight months they can make this thing loud.

Penn 82, Citadel 66, 2:53 2nd Half

After Penn attacked the zone with penetration and shot well

Gaines might have a double-double by now in points and assists he makes another hard layup in traffic. He has just gotten better as the game has gone on. The Penn record is 13 by Tim Begley for assists in a game, and Gaines must be close to this mark.

Bernardini hits another three and Eggleston is silky-smooth from a step inside the line. Gaines realizes he's a point guard though, airballing a three.

Just as it looked like a game again, Eggleston puts in an absurd bank in traffic that he brought up from his chest.

Penn 73, Citadel 58, 7:07 2nd Half

Good ball movement by The Citadel gets an open three in the corner. Then lone senior Demetrius Nelson picks up an and-1 on another useless reach-in under the basket from Grandieri, his third foul.

Matt Clark nails a three, as Miller gets a timeout, barking at Justin Reilly as he didn't get out nearly fast enough on defense.

Now, Nelson gets in for yet another and-1, and the lead is sliced down to 11.

Now the core line-up is back in the game. Kind of surprisingly consisting of Grandieri, Eggleston, Gaines, Andreas Schreiber and Mike Kach, who came off the bench for Bernardini, who's been good as well.

These guys are electric compared to other units. Kach hits a giant three to go up 14, and then some solid defensive possessions anchored by Schreiber on defense see the Red and Blue up 16.

Grandieri commits a foul, though, his fourth. That's big.

Penn 66, Citadel 46, 11:56 2nd Half

Penn players been diving on the floor and hustling a little extra.

Gaines is oblivious for a few seconds, but eventually finds a wide-open Jack Eggleston for the layup.

Wow, Gaines now feeds Tyler Bernardini, who is closing in on Brian Grandieri as the leading screr today. Bernardini hadn't been shooting very well thus far this year, but he's been en fuego tonight. He misses a jumper and then gets a charge for his fourth foul, though.

But referee Joe DeMayo throws it back the other way as Aron Cohen draws a charge. He's going to have to step it up or else Gaines will take this starting PG job for good.

Penn 61, Citadel 41, 14:41 2nd Half

Gaines drives yet again for a tough layup, and the Quakers' lead is up to 20. I'm not going to jinx them an say it's over, though, the Bulldogs can hit threes if needed.

Penn 59, Citadel 41, 15:20 2nd Half

Alright, the Buzz is back, as the internet access is apparently as old as this building. But it's back on, and I'll get the updates movin again.

The Quakers start the second half off in a storm, as Harrison Gaines drove for a layup and then dished for two assists. He's been playing a very good game. He's shooting too many jumpers for Miller's liking, but other than that he's been pretty solid.

Halftime: Penn 45, The Citadel 35

Penn played a very strong first half offensively and has shown tremendous improvement breaking the press. Grandieri leads Penn with 14 points. Michael Kach chipped in nine of his own, and freshman Tyler Bernardini has eight. Bernardini has also looked very sharp on the defensive end, with two steals.

The Citadel is led by Austin Dahn, who is 3-4 from downtown and leads all scorers with 15 points. One of Dahn's threes was a 27-footer from way beyond the arc. Penn's only real weakness has been on defense, where it has given up too many easy buckets inside to the Citadel. Sorry for the lack of internet connection, but we'll try to keep you updated throughout the night if the wireless comes back.