Lion Men's Hoops Falls to CCAC-Allegheny to Open Season, 81-76

McKeesport, Pa. - Despite closing the gap several times through regulation, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's basketball team dropped their home opener of the 2016-17 season, Wednesday night, over CCAC-Allegheny, 81-76.

Sophomore guard Jordon Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) and junior guard Denzel Boyer-London (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) were the first on the board for GA to even the score at four before CCAC-Allegheny swelled to 9-4 in just a few minutes.

Payne added five points before junior forward Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) noted a layup, 13-11 visitors. Freshman guard Colby Hall (Hopewell, Va./Dinwiddle High) and Newby added two points a piece as Boyer-London added a free-throw, 23-16 with just seven minutes until halftime.

Junior guard Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) slashed a jumper as Boyer-London downed a layup and one. The CCAC-Allegheny lead was cut to five as Payne and sophomore forward George Prota (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) each surged with a layup.

Junior guard Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) drained a three-pointer before sophomore forward Scott Przybysz (Elderton, Pa./West Shamokin) drained a jumper. Hall ended the half with a free-throw, CCAC-Allegheny leading 37-31.

Payne was first in the new half to execute two from the foul line. Prota and Newby put up two points each as McMunn added three-points from behind the arc, 46-40 CCAC-Allegheny.

Prota, McMunn and Newby all add points from the floor while Payne slashed points from the free-throw line, 58-50 with eleven minutes of regulation remaining.

Newby reigned a dunk before Hicks made a layup, closing the margin to just four. Payne rung a three-pointer minutes later as Hicks surplused with a layup and one, 67-60.

Freshman guard Connor Paoletti (South Park, Pa./South Park) notched a layup before McMunn aced a pair from the foul line, CCAC up seven with four to play. Newby noted four straight points while Hicks put up four himself. Newby added two more before Payne closed the contest with a pair of good free-throws, the home team on the tailend, 81-76.

Newby put up his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 boards while adding three steals and an assist. Payne added 18 points withg five assits, one steal and a board, as he shot 100% (7-of-7) from the foul line. Hicks and McMunn matched each other with eleven points a piece as Hicks grabbed six boards.

As a team, Greater Allegheny shot 68% (17-of-25) from the free-throw line and 37.8% (28-of-74), which ultimately led to their demise. Out-rebounded 50-37, the home team marked 19 turnovers while converting 29 points off of CCAC turnover.

Greater Allegheny (0-1) looks forward to their first road trip of the 2016-17 season, as the teams travel to Southern State Community College, Friday and Saturday, for a United States Collegiate Athletic Association weekend. Friday is set against Southern State CC at 7:30 p.m., as Saturday brings Cincinnati-Clermont, time to be determined.