Jeff Brooks tallied a career-high 18 points to go with 10 rebounds, and Talor Battle added 15 points as host Penn State overcame dismal 3-point shooting to defeat Saint Joseph's, 66-57, at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State grabbed a 30-19 halftime advantage, but Saint Joseph's kept within striking distance for most of the second. Brooks' layup put the Nittany Lions back up by 11 at 57-46 with 2:55 to play. And they closed it out at the foul line, where they went 25 for 34.

The teams made just a combined 5 for 45 from beyond the arc, including 1 of 20 from Penn State.

It marked the second-straight in-state triumph for the Nittany Lions, who beat Lehigh, 70-56, in their opener. Penn State, which features four seniors, including Brooks and Battle, from a squad that won the NIT title two years ago, is coming off an 11-20 season.

Idris Hilliard's 13 points led Saint Joe's. Also following a rough 11-20 campaign in 2009-10, the Hawks got off to rocky start with a 98-70 home loss to Western Kentucky on Friday.

It was the programs' first meeting since a 79-67 Saint Joseph's victory in 2007.