McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (3-0, 0-0) played a hard-fought contest on Friday night in Day 1 of the Penn State Greater Allegheny Tip-off Tournament as they defeated CCAC-Boyce 80-72. It was a slow start for PSUGA, but in the end they were able to come out on top.

Things went all CCAC-Boyce’s way early on as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the first half. Coach Tyler Care made a big five for five switch and that sparked this PSUGA offense. Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, Pa./West Mifflin) hit two big three-point shots that got PSUGA right back in the contest. The bench would prove to play a big role in that first half as they combined for 29 of the teams 42 points going into halftime.

PSUGA would lead 42-32 going into the break with Rouse leading the team with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) turned it on at the end of the first half to score seven and Koran Flemming (Pittsburgh, Pa./Westinghouse HS) had six.

CCAC-Boyce would come out firing once again in the second half making this one a close game as time was ticking away. Jordan Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) hit two big three-pointers with 5:30 to play to pull PSUGA up by three. However, CCAC-Boyce kept striking back and answered with a three of their own to tie things at 68 with 3:29 showing on the clock.

George Prota (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) would put PSUGA up by six hitting three straight two-pointers coming off of offensive rebounds, and Jordon Payne would seal the deal making two free throws with under a minute to play. CCAC-Boyce fought hard but in the end PSUGA was able to pull out the win.

Jordon Payne led the team on the night with 20 points to go along with six rebounds. Kenny Rouse and George Prota each finished in double digits on the day as well with 14 points and 13 points respectively. Prota was one shy of his third straight double-double, but still led the team with nine rebounds on the night. Khari Hicks and Rouse finished tied for the team lead with four assists on the day.

PSUGA is right back in action tomorrow afternoon as they play day two of the Penn State Greater Allegheny tip-off Tournament. The action starts at 1 p.m. as Penn State New Kensington faces CCAC-Boyce and concludes at 3 p.m. as PSUGA faces Penn Highlands.