McKeesport, Pa. - Through an evenly battled forty minutes, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's basketball team came out on top in a steep match-up over Penn State Beaver, 85-80.
Junior guard Petrie Addison (Fort Myers, Fla./Florida Christian) was the first to answer as Greater Allegheny won the tip-off. Senior Nick Dizon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) banked two back-to-back lay-ups. Addison added eleven points within the next four minutes before freshman guard Denzel London (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) polished off a lay-up to extend the GA lead to eight with ten to play until halftime.
Beaver managed a few points to close the gap. Senior forward Aaron Byrd (Upper Marlboro, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise) notched a free-throw to bring the tally to a tie at 25. Addison hammered two three-pointers and a lay-up to lift GA ahead in the tossle. Dizon and D. London contributed the majority of the final minutes of play before half. Sophomore guard Chris Dixon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Steel Valley) capped off a trey to send both teams into a deadlock at 45 for halftime.
Freshman guard Eric Moody (Philadelphia, Pa./New Media Technology Charter) put up a three-pointer to set the tone for the final twenty minutes. Both teams answered the others scoring opportunities, making each drive count. Dizon, Addison and Byrd all added tallies over the course of thirteen minutes as the Greater Allegheny focused their eyes on the prize. No scoring for four minutes built the suspense as Greater Allegheny started their run to the finish. D. London pocketed a lay-up as Addison slammed a three. Sophomore guard Peter Olumese (Switzerland/College du Leman) completed both free-throws before the next three minutes carried on. Byrd and Moody achieved lay-ups toward the Greater Allegheny tally, 79-75. Addison, Byrd, D. London and Moody ran down the final minute of regulation with the completion of free-throws. Greater Allegheny's persistent efforts were too much for Beaver to handle, as Greater Allegheny came out victorious, 87-82.
Addison had outstanding shooting percentages, as he went 70% (14-of-20) from the floor, bucketed 80% (4-of-5) of three-pointers attempted and cashed in 75% (3-of-4) of free-throws. Petrie notched 35 points and pulled down eleven rebounds. Dizon posted 18 points and eight boards toward the GA mark. Byrd assisted his team with 12 points and nine rebounds as D. London boosted Greater Allegheny with eleven points and eight assists.
As a team, Greater Allegheny held a 48.4% (30-of-62) field goal percentage alongside a 58.3% (21-for-36) free-throw percentage. GA converted 24 Beaver turnovers into 22 Greater Allegheny points and dropped 46 points in the paint. An exciting match-up, the game changed leads 26 times and was held in a tie 15 times.
Greater Allegheny looks to continue the high as they go on the road on Friday. A double-header with the women, the teams travel to Penn State Mont Alto for a Penn State University Athletic Conference contest. The men are scheduled for a 8 p.m. tip-off.
