Sometimes the statistics sheet can be misleading, and for the eighth-ranked Nittany Lions, Friday night was one of those times.

Despite out-hitting, out-blocking, out-passing, out-serving, and out-digging Rutgers-Newark, the Lions lost the match 3-1 (26-30, 30-16, 28-30, 33-35).

Penn State rebounded on Saturday to defeat Princeton 3-0 (30-27, 30-21, 30-28), but the loss to the Scarlet Knights put a big dent in the Lions previously unblemished conference record this season and allowed Rutgers to get one step closer.

"Early and late in each game, Rutgers outplayed us for the big points," Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik said.

"I was pleased with our overall play, but I was disappointed no one stepped up at crucial times."

Despite getting double-digit kills from four different players, Penn State could not put it all together to close out the games.

Rutgers-Newark juniors Andrew Pink and Aleks Ondelj took advantage with 22 kills for Pink and 52 assists for Ondelj to propel the Scarlet Raiders to victory.

"Andrew Pink is playing as well as any outside hitter, and Aleks is as good a setter as there is in the league," Pavlik said. "We had a chance to win, but let it slip away. They got the big points when they needed them."

The loss puts pressure on the Lions to win the remaining EIVA matches if they wish to host the conference tournament. With a little more than three weeks until the tournament, the Lions sit at 7-1 in conference play while Rutgers-Newark is 9-2.

Pavlik is looking for his team to respond and make sure it gets the home-court advantage.

"[Rutgers-Newark] won't make it easy on us. They smell blood and have confidence that they can beat us," he said. "We are still in good position to host the tournament. This team just has to make the decision that no one can take home-court away from them."

Saturday, Penn State played like a team that had already made that decision.

The Lions came out strong and disposed of the Tigers quickly, never even letting them in the match.

"I'm happy with the way we came out [Saturday]," Pavlik said. "There was no question that we would close out each game and the match. That is a good sign."

Junior middle hitter Keith Kowal led the way for the Lions with 17 kills and freshman outside hitter Alex Gutor continued to progress, chipping in 14 kills and four digs.

"Gutor had a good match [Friday] and carried through to [Saturday]," Pavlik said.

"Not only did he strike the ball well, but he passed well too."

With the win against Princeton, the magic number is down to three for the Lions.

They hold the tie-breaker over the Scarlet Knights, and three more conference victories would guarantee at least a tie for first place, resulting in home-court for the EIVA tournament. Penn State plays Ohio State tomorrow.