DuBois, PA. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men's Basketball team (5-4, 2-3) broke out of their mini slump on Saturday defeating PSU-DuBois breaking 87-70 breaking a short three game losing streak. With two of their main starters having huge games, the offense got back on track and set PSUGA with some momentum heading into the holiday break.
PSUGA got all the momentum right from the start scoring 11 of the first 15 points to jump out to an 11-4 lead. DuBois would batlle for the entire half bringing the score to 31-29 with just under five minutes to go. However, PSUGA finished the half on a 14-2 run and went into the locker room with a 45-31 advantage.
Jordon Payne (McKeesport, PA./McKeesport HS) went off in the first half scoring 24 of his team high 28 points as part of the 45-point first half attack. After losing their previous three games, PSUGA was happy to have the halftime lead and were looking to continue to build off of it in the second half.
PSUGA would officially put the game away right away in the second half putting up three straight three pointers to up their advantage to 54-31 and put the game officially out of reach. PSUGA kept a steady offensive attack with 42 second half points to secure the 87-70 victory and give PSUGA their second Penn State University Athletic Conference win.
Payne finished the day with a team high 28 points, but only four of those came in the second half. However, he was picked up by teamate Kenny Rouse (Duquesne, PA./West Mifflin HS) who scored 11 in the second half and finished with 24 points on the day. The duo combined to score 52 of their teams 87 points on the day and helped PSUGA get back on track.
Makis Rivera (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) rounded out the double digit scorers with 13 points and tied with Antonio Hill (West Mifflin, PA./West Mifflin) for the team lead with eight rebounds a piece on the day. Koran Flemming (Wilkinsburg, PA./Westinghouse HS) led in assists with three coming off the bench.
The defense continued its strong play in the win holding their opponent to 70 points or less for the seventh time in the team's first nine games. Despite the offensive struggles that have plagued PSUGA this season, the defense has remained consistent throughout and will play a big role in the second half.
PSUGA now heads into the christmas break and will return on January 7th when they go on the road to face PSU-Beaver at 8 p.m. They look to use the momentum from this game to propel them into the playoff race.