HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — D.J. Newbill, John Johnson and Brandon Taylor each scored 17 points, leading Penn State to a 73-69 win over Marshall on Saturday night.

Penn State (8-1) is off to its best start since going 9-1 in the 2000-01 season. Newbill added seven rebounds with four assists and Ross Travis grabbed nine boards.

The Nittany Lions opened the second half with a quick 6-0 run, pushing their lead to 13 after Newbill’s three-point play and a split pair of free throws from Jordan Dickerson.

Marshall stormed back to pull within one after Jay Johnson’s free throws with 1:12 left. Donovan Jack followed with a putback and hit two free throws after Johnson’s missed 3-pointer to withstand the rally.

Johnson led Marshall with 19 points. Tamron Manning scored 12 while Ryan Taylor and Aleksa Nikolic had 10 points apiece.

The Thundering Herd (3-5) lost their fifth straight under new coach Dan D’Antoni.