STATE COLLEGE— Shep Garner’s eyes blazed through droplets of sweat that rolled off his forehead. He didn’t reach for a towel or even a drink, too preoccupied with a question he didn’t expect to hear this early in the season.

Had Penn State faced a must-win situation in just its third game of the Big Ten schedule?

“No doubt,” Garner said. “No doubt.”

Thanks to Garner’s matter-of-fact shooting in the waning moments Saturday, that pressure subsided as Penn State beat Minnesota 86-77.

Payton Banks scored a career-high 24 points, Garner added 20 — including the go-ahead 3-pointer that sparked a 14-6 run over the final 3:46 — and helped Penn State avoid what could’ve been its fourth straight 0-3 start in the Big Ten in as many seasons.

Brandon Taylor added 18 points that helped spoil a hot-shooting night for the Golden Gophers (6-9, 0-3 Big Ten), who made 11 3-pointers and led for most of the game.

“I thought our guys played not to lose rather to win,” Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said.

Joey King led Minnesota with a career-high 22 points while Nate Mason added 19 and Carlos Morris 15. Most of Mason’s work was done in the first half where he scored 11 and the Gophers built a 36-32 lead.