McKeesport, PA. – After a nearly a two-and-a-half-week layoff, the Penn State Greater Allegheny Men’s Basketball Team (3-0, 0-0) opens the Penn State University Athletic Conference half of their schedule when they face Penn State Shenango (1-3, 0-0) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. It will be PSUGA’s first road game of the season as they look to open conference play with a win and try and make it to the PSUAC playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
PSUGA last took the court on November 10th when they defeated Southern State CC 85-60 on the second day of the PSUGA Tip-off Tournament. PSUGA’s offense dominated the game early scoring the first 15 points before the Patriots could get on the board. PSUGA would never look back bolstering their best defensive effort of the season in the win.
Jordon Payne (McKeesport, PA./McKeesport HS) continued his hot offensive stretch to start the season leading the way with 21 points in the victory. Payne has now scored 20 points or more in two of his teams first three games and leads the team with 65 points. Payne was recognized as last week’s United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Men’s Basketball player of the week for his efforts.
Complementing Payne on the offensive side of the ball has been Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, PA./West Mifflin HS) who led the defensive side of the ball against the Patriots with seven rebounds and five assists. After scoring a triple-double in the season opener, Rouse has been reliable on both sides of the ball and was also recognized as the PSUAC Player of the Week last week giving PSUGA two early season recognitions from the conference and national level.
As PSUGA gets ready to start conference play, they have seen a lot of success against PSUAC opponents in regular season. Dating back to last January 26th, PSUGA owns an eight-game regular season winning streak against conference opponents. However, Tuesday presents a different challenge as PSUGA takes on a Penn State Shenango team that is in its first ever season.
Shenango reinstated athletics for the first time in over 20 years and are facing some tough competition early in the season including two matchups with Point Park. Their last time out saw them take on Edinboro in what turned out to be an 87-56 loss. After falling behind 43-23 at halftime, Shenango battled back with 33 second half points but could not complete the comeback falling 87-56.
Gannon Murray led Shenango on offense with 21 points finishing as one of just two players in double digits in the game. PSUGA faces a unique challenge of having to figure out a brand-new opponent in their conference opener, but it is one that head coach Tyler Care and his team take very seriously.
Tip-off for Tuesday’s contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Buhl Recreational Center located just off the campus of Penn State Shenango.
