McKeesport, Pa. – It was a new look starting lineup for the Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (16-6, 10-3) on Friday night, but they took care of business defeating PSU-DuBois 83-66. Joining the normal five was Juwan Ledbetter (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Alderdice), who was making his first start of the season, and he took advantage of his opportunities.
Ledbetter set a new career high in points scoring 17 in the win and was also tasked with trying to shut down one of the best scorers in the PSUAC in Tristen Pierce. Pierce, who averages 19.9 PPG, was held to 13 on the night thanks to the tight defensive play of Ledbetter.
PSUGA controlled the game early on jumping out to a 22-11 lead halfway through the first half. However, fouls would come back to haunt them when Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) got three fouls, including a tech, in the span of five seconds. DuBois took advantage going six for six from the free throw line during that stretch to bring the score back to 29-26. PSUGA went on to score 11 of the remaining 17 points in the quarter and went into the half leading 40-32.
Ledbetter had 11 of his 17 points in the first half and was helped out by Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, Pa./West Mifflin) who also scored 11 points in the half. After all of the chaos of the first half, PSUGA was looking to calm things down in the second half.
They made it a much cleaner half and Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS) scored 14 of his team leading 20 points in the second half to go along with 19 rebounds for his 13th double-double of the season. With the win, PSUGA now moves to 10-3 in conference play and is currently tied with PSU-Wilkes Barre for second in the Penn State University Athletic Conference Standings.
It sets up a big conference matchup for PSUGA on Friday when they take on PSU-Wilkes Barre at 8 p.m. PSU-Wilkes Barre has had the slight advantage in the all-time series with a record of 4-3, but the high powered PSUGA offense is looking to have a big game against one of the top teams in the conference. With only three games remaining on the season, every game is big for PSUGA as they head towards the PSUAC playoffs.
