Clarion, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (5-1, 0-0) fought valiantly against Clarion on Wednesday night nearly completing the comeback. However, it wasn’t enough in the end as they fell 109-93. The offense kept rolling for PSUGA but they couldn’t find their defensive game allowing over 100 points for the first time this season.
In the second half, PSUGA looked like they were going to make a comeback as Jordon Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) hit two huge three-point shots to get PSUGA within seven points with seven minutes to play. The two teams would go back and forth with PSUGA making it a single digit lead several times in the contest. However, late turnovers are what ultimately lead Clarion to victory on the day.
It would be PSUGA that took control of the game early on jumping out to an 18-9 lead six minutes into the contest. They would hold onto that lead all the way up until 10 minutes into the game. Clarion would go on an offensive tear at the end of the first half to go into the locker room leading 55-42. Head Coach Tyler Care made some halftime adjustments that worked and helped PSUGA fight back in this contest.
Jordon Payne continued his hot offensive start to the season with his best performance of the year putting up 30 points to lead the team in the victory. Payne was one of three PSUGA players to finish in double digits on the day with George Prota (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth) finishing with 13 points and Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS) finishing with 12. Newby also picked up his third double-double on the season as he led the team with 11 rebounds. Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) led the team in assists with five.
Wednesday’s loss snapped a four-game winning streak for PSUGA to start the season, their best start in program history. They have faced some stiff competition early on in the season and it will help them moving forward as they get ready to head into PSUAC play in the next couple weeks.
PSUGA continues their non-conference action this weekend with two contests against Cincinatti-Clermont on Friday at 7:30 p.m. They will wrap up the weekend on Saturday when they take on Southern State CC at 3 p.m.
