Host Penn State used a 22-4 second-half run and held off a late Butler rally to take a 68-62 win over Butler Monday night at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. The game was part of the annual Gavitt Games series, matching up teams from the BIG EAST and Big Ten.

Butler falls to 1-1 on the season, while Penn State improves to 3-0.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Butler took a 39-38 lead with 14:35 remaining in the second half, which was Butler's first lead since 4-3.
• The teams traded baskets before a Simas Lukosius three-pointer gave Butler a 42-40 advantage with 13:55 to play. Penn State would then score 22 of the next 26 points to take a 62-46 lead eight minutes later.
• Butler would cut the lead back to four with 28 seconds remaining, but never got closer down the stretch.
• Manny Bates posted 16 points and 10 rebounds Monday night, his second consecutive double-double to start the season following up his Butler debut a week ago when he had a career-high 25 points and 11 boards.
• Bates led four Bulldogs in double-figures as he was joined by Jayden Taylor (14), Lukosius (13) and Chuck Harris (11).
• The Bulldogs shot only 34 percent from the field, including 5-for-23 from three-point range. Penn State countered with 10 three-pointers on 24 attempts.
• Penn State's Jalen Pickett had a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds; he led five Nittany Lions in double figures.
• Butler had only five turnovers; Penn State had 11.
• Penn State shot 46 percent for the game and 54 percent in the second half.

OF NOTE:

• The Bulldogs were without Myles Wilmoth, John-Michael Mulloy, Jalen Thomas, and Ali Ali against Penn State due to various injuries.
• Butler is now 2-3 in the Gavitt Games.
• Butler and Penn State had not played since the 1991-92 season until tonight's game. The series is now tied 2-2.
• Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry served on Brad Stevens' staff at Butler for four seasons (as the director of operations in 2007-08, followed by three seasons as an assistant coach). Shrewsberry was part of the staff for both of Butler's national championship game teams. Mike Green, Penn State's Director of Player Development, earned 2007-08 Horizon League Player of the Year honors while starring for Butler.
• Monday's game was Project 44 Night at Penn State. Launched in 2016, Project 44 was created in honor of the late Andrew Smith. Wearing the No. 44, Andrew was a beloved, standout member of Butler two NCAA Final Four basketball teams. On January 12, 2016, at the age of 25, Andrew passed away following a two-year battle with cancer. Committed to carrying out Andrew's selfless work, Project 44's goal is to save lives by encouraging individuals to join the bone marrow registry in hopes of being a match for someone looking for a donor. 
   

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs return to Hinkle Fieldhouse for a pair of games later this week, hosting Saint Francis Thursday and The Citadel Saturday.