McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (14-6, 8-3) have been playing some of their best basketball over the last week and a half as they make a push towards the Penn State University Athletic Conference Playoffs. They look to continue their strong performance on Monday when they battle PSU-Beaver (7-14, 4-8) at 8 p.m.
Over the last week PSUGA has scored over 100 points twice in those three games. Their last time out, however, defense was the name of the game as they held Williamson Trade to a season low 53 points in a 75-53 victory. It was a total team effort with 9 PSUGA players contributing to the victory.
Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) continued his hot streak leading the team with 15 points on the day, including shooting 4-9 from three-point range. McMunn has played a big part in the recent success for PSUGA and, after averaging just over six points a game in the first half, has come back strong averaging 13.0 PPG in the second half.
Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) finished with 12 points and a team leading five assists. Makis Rivera (Pittsburgh, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) made his second straight start and led the team with eight rebounds on the day.
After dropping a heart breaker to PSU-Mont Alto on January 26th, they have come back and won their last three games and have set themselves in position to be a top seed in the PSUAC playoffs. As it sits now, PSUGA would enter the playoffs as the third seed and would host a home game in the quarter final round.
PSU-Beaver enters this game off of a loss to Penn State Fayette 86-80 on Saturday. Beaver allowed 51 first half points and could never recover despite out scoring Fayette 41-35 in the second half. Eric Gallupe led the way off the bench with 34 points and was one of three Beaver players to score in double digits.
PSU-Beaver has the advantage in the all-time series with a record of 8-5 against PSUGA, however, PSUGA picked up the win earlier this season against Beaver 80-73. Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS) scored a season high 29 points in the game to go over 1,000 points for his collegiate career.
Tip-off for Monday night’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m. as the second part of a Men’s and Women’s Basketball Doubleheader. The men have five games remaining in the season and all of them will be played on their home court.
