Talor Battle made sure Penn wasn't going to come back and pull off an upset.
The junior guard scored at will in the paint, notching 27 points in Penn State's home opener Friday night. The Nittany Lions (1-0) won 70-55.
His point total was two shy of his career high, which came last February in the Lions' 72-68 upset over then-No. 9 Michigan State in East Lansing.
The Lions did not look sharp -- struggling rebounding, shooting free throws and defending Penn's backdoor screens -- but Battle's fifth career double-double (27 points and 10 rebounds) was too much for the Quakers (0-1) to handle. He finished 9-for-12 from the floor, but only 2-for-8 from 3-point range.
"My shot really wasn't on tonight, so that's the ability I have, to attack the rim and score the ball in the paint," Battle said afterward.
The win is the Lions' fifth-straight season opening victory, and they improve to 84-30 all-time in their opening games.
Actor Denzel Washington was even on hand to watch the game. He sat in the third row behind Penn's bench and drew a lot of cheers and photographs from fans after the game.
He proceeded to walk into the Bryce Jordan Center tunnel following the game and made his way over to Penn's locker room -- to greet his son, Malcolm Washington, a 5-foot 9 freshman for the Quakers.
"It's about the kids," he said as he was walking to the locker room. "I was here to see my kid tonight."
Washington has been shooting scenes in the Centre County area for a feature film "Unstoppable."
For complete coverage of the LIons' opening night victory, read the Collegian on Monday.
