GA Men's Hoops Drop to Southern State CC, 92-76

McKeesport, Pa. - Despite all five starters cashing in double digits, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's basketball team lost to Southern State Community College in day one of the 2013 PSUGA Tip-Off Tournament.

In the first half, the floor heard from each one of the starters, as they battled in point-for-point action. The game was very tight the first eight minutes of play, then SSCC began to pull away. Their largest deficit of the half came within the next few minutes when Southern State stood ahead, 31-18. Joint efforts from junior forward Petrie Addison (Fort Myers, Fla./Florida Christian) and senior forward Aaron Byrd (Upper Marlboro, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise) catapulated Greater Allegheny's offense to bring the ball game to a tie at 44 going into halftime.

Second half action began the same way the half before it. Greater Allegheny was able to hang with SSCC, both cashing in tallies back and forth. Consecutive scoring chances allowed Southern State to pull away from Greater Allegheny in the second half. Despite their efforts, Greater Allegheny would not regain the lead and go on to fall to Southern State by a 92-76 deficit.

Sophomore guard Chris Dixon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Steel Valley) and Byrd both contributed 17 points apiece, five and six total rebounds respectively. Addison finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds. Senior forward Nick Dizon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) added 14 points with eight rebounds alongside teammate sophomore guard Peter Olumese (Switzerland/College du Leman), who marked twelve points.

Greater Allegheny is set to play Penn State Fayette, Saturday, for a consolation game in the final day of PSUGA Tip-Off Tournament play. Game time is set for 1 p.m.