WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Penn College men's basketball's Livingston Cross poured in 22 points while grabbing 11 boards in the Wildcats' 84-78 victory over visiting Penn State Mont Alto on Friday night. The Wildcats improve to 2-0 while dropping the Nittany Lions to 1-2.

How it happened: Behind 48.3% (29-60) shooting including nine treys and four double-digit scorers, the Wildcats tallied 40 points in both halves to hold off the visiting Nittany Lions. PCT controlled a lead for more than 14 minutes in the first half while building just an eight-point lead at the break, 40-32. The Wildcats spread the ball around evenly and kept the Mont Alto defense guessing with eight different scorers and none reaching double-digits. Max Jackowsky led at the break with eight points while Cross and DJ Smith III had just six.

Cross took over in the second half with 12 of his 15 points coming from the charity stripe and pulling down eight defensive rebounds to give the Wildcats extra possessions. Mont Alto kept chipping away at the PCT lead in the second half until the Nittany Lions made it a two-point game (73-71) with five minutes remaining. After a pair of converted free throws by Mont Alto, Cross drove in the paint to force a foul and drain two free throws and push the lead back to four (75-71). Jackwoski drained a trey and Cross finished off the game with two more free throws and a layup with 22 seconds left for the win.

Inside the box: Gavin Barrett (14), Jackowsky (13) and Landon Reeder (10) joined Cross in double figures. Barrett led the team with four assists to go along with four boards. 

Tevin Venson led Mont Alto with 17 points.

Up Next: The Wildcats are back on the court against Montclair State for the second game of the Crosstown Challenge on Saturday, at 1 p.m.