McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (18-6, 12-3) kept their recent string of success going as they defeated Penn State Worthington Scranton (4-19, 1-15) 101-70. PSUGA has now won seven games in a row as they are gaining momentum heading towards the PSUAC playoffs.
Worthington Scranton kept it close in the first half putting up 38 points leaving PSUGA with only a three point lead as the teams broke for the locker room. Jordan Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) led the way with 14 points, including three three-pointers, in the first half. PSUGA was not able to capitalize on rebounds and as a result found themselves in a close contest.
However, the second half would prove to be a much different story as the offense came to life scoring a season-high 60 points to secure the victory. A 13-0 run to start the half opened up the score to 56-40 before a 10-0 run sealed the deal giving PSUGA a 66-45 lead halfway through the half. Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, Pa./West Mifflin) went off scoring 16 points in the second half and going four for seven from three-point range.
James Fiels (Loch Raven, Md./Loch Raven) hit a three-pointer in the waning minutes of the game to get his team over 100 points for the fifth time this season in the win. PSUGA also kept up their good second half defense allowing their opponent to score 70 points or less for the eighth time here in the second half.
Payne got back on track after having a few down games to lead the team with 25 points. Rouse finished with 19 points and Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) finished with 17. Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS) collected his 14th double-double of the season scoring 14 points while grabbing a team high 11 rebounds.
With the win, PSUGA is tied with PSU-Brandywine in the PSUAC standings as the regular season comes to a close. With a win on Monday, PSUGA would secure the number one seed in the PSUAC playoffs and have a first round bye as they head to the semi-finals. The semi-final game would be on February 17th 2018 against the lowest remaining seed.
PSUGA wraps up their regular season on Monday when they take on PSU-Fayette at 8 p.m. It will be the second half of a Men’s and Women’s Basketball Doubleheader.