Media, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (10-5, 5-2) had a roller coaster of a weekend when they took on Penn State University Athletic Conference opponents Penn State Lehigh Valley and Penn State Brandywine over the weekend.
It started with their second straight loss at the hands of Penn State Lehigh Valley (9-5, 6-1) 94-70. The team had been working on their defensive play during the break and played well against PSU-New Kensington, however, they just couldn’t get anything going and their defense faltered in the loss.
It set up a big game for PSUGA on Saturday when they faced PSUAC powerhouse Penn State Brandywine (11-5, 7-2). Both teams have seen a lot of success this season and the two teams were battling it out as PSUGA tried to creep closer in the standings.
Both teams showed their offensive prowess early on as they traded runs. Brandywine jumped out to an early 10-4 lead, but PSUGA jumped right back on a 11-7 run to make it a two-point game. The teams would battle back and forth all the way through the first half with PSU-Brandywine heading into the locker room with the 52-42 advantage.
Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) was the catalyst with 11 first half points. Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, Pa./West Mifflin) and Jordon Payne (McKeesport, McKeesport, Pa.) each contributed 10 points to the offensive outburst. Little did both teams know, the offense was just beginning to come alive.
The second half once again featured the two offenses showing off their abilities. Payne put up 12 points in the quarter leading the Lions 41-point attack. The defense started to show the success they had on Tuesday night limiting Brandywine to just 31 points and sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, the two teams battled back and forth with neither team giving up an inch. PSUGA had a chance to win it in the final seconds as Payne threw up a three-pointer, but it just fell short and the score remained tied at 94. In double overtime. PSUGA would go on an 8-0 run after the teams traded points to seal the victory 115-107.
It was a break out game for McMunn who scored a season high 26 points in his return to the starting lineup. McMunn has spent the past several games on the bench and has been putting in extra work and that led to him getting a chance to start today. Payne finished with a team leading 33 points recording the most points in a game since his 40 point effort against Southern State CC.
With the win over Brandywine, PSUGA now sits two games back of the top spot in the PSUAC. The 2016/2017 PSUAC Champions continue to try and defend their title from a year ago and return to the USCAA National Tournament.
PSUGA is back in action Tuesday when they go on the road to take on Penn State Fayette at 8 p.m. Tuesday’s game is the last road game of the season for PSUGA before they finish the season with an eight-game home stand.
