McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball team (5-4, 2-3) look to ride their end of first half momentum into the second half of the season when they take on Penn State Beaver (8-3, 4-1). After dropping three of their first four conference games of the season, PSUGA picked up a big win over PSU-DuBois to end the first half with some much-needed momentum.
PSUGA started out the game against DuBois with a strong offensive attack putting up 45 points to jump out to a 45-31 lead as the teams broke for the locker room. Jordon Payne (McKeesport, PA./McKeesport HS) contributed 22 of those points including going 6-8 from three-point range. It marked the fastest start of the season for PSUGA Men’s Basketball and had them confident early on.
However, DuBois was not going down in this one without a fight going on runs of 10-2 and 8-4 to bring the score back to 63-49. After Payne got the offense going, Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, PA./West Mifflin) helped it close out the win scoring 11 over the final 20 minutes of play as PSUGA put up 42 second half points and were just able to hold off DuBois picking up an 87-70 victory.
Payne and Rouse combined to score 52 of their teams 87 points in the victory and continue to be the lifeblood of the PSUGA offense. Both guys are averaging in double digit points per game, Payne at 19.9 and Rouse with 15.9, this season providing PSUGA with a dangerous 1-2 punch that opposing teams have to watch out for.
Makis Rivera (Pittsburgh, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) led the defense with eight rebounds to go along with his 13 points and Koran Flemming (Wilikinsburg, PA./Westinghouse) led all bench players with six points in the win. With the win, PSUGA moved to 2-3 in conference play and put themselves in a good position to get right back into the playoff race.
PSU-Beaver already kicked off the 2019 half of their schedule when they defeated Kent State Tuscarawas 82-67 on Friday. After a tight battle throughout the first half that had Beaver ahead 31-28 at halftime, Beavers offense would kick in scoring 51 second half points to give them the win. Beaver’s John Foster led the way with 24 points while Andrew Brady followed it up with a 23-point game.
It has been a back and forth battle all time between these two teams with Beaver holding a slight advantage with eight wins in 14 matchups. Last season, however, it was PSUGA that would have Beaver’s number sweeping the season series. Their last matchup came on February 5th 2018 when PSUGA picked up a 70-67 win. Former Lion Curtis Newby had a big day scoring 23 points and helping PSUGA secure a playoff spot.
Tip-off for the second half of the Men’s Basketball season is scheduled for 8 p.m. A live stream will be available courtesy of PSU-Beaver and you can watch by clicking here.