Penn State remains atop the Rugby East after the Nittany Lions defeated Iona 36-19 Saturday.

Penn State got on the board early with a try from Selby Niu, but Iona replied through Mike Scarcella. Late in the second half Leo Van Buskirk's try, with Jimmy Ronan converting, gave Penn State a 12-5 lead the break. Iona continued to battle, using the boot to push Penn State back, and disrupting some of the Lions' prime scoring opportunities.

In the second half, a big break from Jimmy Haley set up a short-range drive by Rob Irimescu and a 19-5 Penn State lead. Iona replied one more, but the Kiefer Kei-Boguinard scored to make it 24-12. Kei-Boguinard then linked up nicely with Joe Kelly, who set up Haley for the try. Ronan converted for the 31-12 Penn State lead. Iona, once again, would reply, before Jordan Crofts finished the game off. 

Scarcella ended up with two tries for Iona and John D'Allara scored one for the Gaels, with Santi Mascolo getting the lone conversion.

"We’re in the best position we’ve been for a while," said Penn State captain and flanker Malcolm May. "We're playing more as a team and less as individuals."

Meanwhile, Army tried to keep pace with a 53-7 defeat of Wheeling Jesuit, giving WJU their first loss of the Rugby East season. Kutztown had to work for it against St. Bonaventure, but won 60-36. However, everyone, at this point, is chasing Penn State, and everyone but Penn State now has at least one loss. PSU finishes their league season against Wheeling Jesuit and Kutztown, and if they don't finish strong, KU, WJU, or Army could still run past them for 1st.