No. 17 Fayette Falls at No. 9 Beaver, 107-84
No. 17 Penn State Fayette (7-8, 6-1 PSUAC) dropped their first game in conference, falling to Western Division leader Penn State Beaver, 107-84, on Monday night.
January 23, 2012
MONACA, Pa. - Four Roaring Lions' players scored in double figures, but it was not enough to overcome Penn State Beaver, as Penn State Fayette (7-8, 6-1 PSUAC) fell, 107-84, in a Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference Western Division match-up Monday night in Beaver Field House.
Junior David Winns (Washington, DC) scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while junior Ryan Hart (Pittsburgh, Pa.) claimed his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
While the first five minutes of play saw the teams swap baskets, Beaver (14-4, 10-1 PSUAC)grabbed a 12-10 lead with 14:49 to play in the first half and never trailed again. The Lions gradually built a comfortable lead, taking a 50-33 advantage into halftime. Fayette's attempt at a comeback was thwarted early in the second half, and Beaver extended their lead to as much as 27 with 13:58 left to play. Fayette made it interesting with 7:38 left to play, as freshman Brandon Cunningham (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.) cut the Lions' lead to 13, but the Roaring Lions would not come any closer.
Cunningham scored 16 points and dished out a team-high four assists on the night, while junior James Pratt (Uniontown, Pa.) rounded out Fayette's scorer's in double figures with 11 points.
Fayette shot nearly 53 percent for the contest, but took only 57 shots. A slew of turnovers cost Fayette possessions and scoring opportunities, as the Roaring Lions committed 31 turnovers. Beaver took advantage of Fayette's miscues, including 44 points off of turnovers, and made 41 field goals, including 10 three-pointers, in 90 attempts.
All five of Beaver's starters scored in double figures, led by Nick Miller with 29 points. Chris Weathers added 18 for the Lions.
Fayette returns to action as they travel to Penn State Hazleton for a division crossover contest at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27. On their first of two eastern swings during the season, the Roaring Lions will then match-up with Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3:00 p.m.