New Kensington, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (13-6, 8-3) scored over 100 points for the third time this season on their way to defeating Penn State New Kensington Friday night 107-93. A lot of the normal key contributors for PSUGA were held at bay, however, some great play from the next men up propelled PSUGA to victory.
Both teams battled early on, with neither team being able to pull away. PSUGA got out to a nine point lead half way through the first half, but that is the farthest the deficit would get. PSU-New Kensington kept fighting back, but it was PSUGA who had the slight advantage heading into the locker room leading 55-50.
Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills), who has been on fire as of late, lead the team with 17 first half points off the bench. McMunn was the only PSUGA player to score in double digits in the first half and PSUGA was looking for the opening they needed to secure a victory in this one.
That opening would come right at the start of the second half as PSUGA came out and scored the first 10 points of the half to extend the lead to 63-50. Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) scored six of those 10 points including two jumpers. The run would extend to 19-2 before PSU-New Kensington could get anything going.
That would be the opening PSUGA needed as they rode it to the 107-93 victory. After scoring 55 points in the first half, PSUGA came back and put up 52 in the second half. Their defense also stepped up holding PSU-New Kensington to just 43 second half points.
McMunn led the way tying his season high with 26 points and has been on fire in the second half. Since January 16th, McMunn is averaging 12.7 PPG and has scored 20 or more in three of those games. After struggling to get into a rhythm in the first half, McMunn has found his groove and has been a key factor to the Men’s success.
Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, Pa./West Mifflin) finished right behind McMunn with 15 points on the day. Mhonte Newsome (Baltimore, Md./Our Lady of Mt. Saint Carmel) scored a career high nine points on the day while leading the team with eight rebounds.
PSUGA has now won back-to-back games after losing to PSU-Mont Alto and stays pace with the rest of the Penn State University Athletic Conference. They currently sit in third place with a record of 8-3 and, with a big game looming against PSU-Wilkes Barre later this week, have a chance to move up to second place.
First, PSUGA has a non-conference matchup with Williamson College of the Trades Saturday at 1 p.m. PSUGA will look to continue the role it is on and try to win its third straight contest.
