Top-ranked Beaver too much for Roaring Lions

Lemont Furnace, PA – Penn State Beaver, the topped-ranked team in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), remained undefeated in PSUAC play, beating host Penn State Fayette 93 – 66 Friday night at the Community Center's Main Arena.  Fayette's Jacob Bronder (Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored the opening bucket of the game, but was the only lead of the night the Roaring Lions.

After a 4-4 tie, Penn State Beaver (8-2, 5-0) tore off a 20-5 as Beaver's signature full court press seemed too much for the Roaring Lions to handle. The Lions forced Fayette (4-6, 3-2) into traps and mistakes.  When Fayette's guards did break pressure, it seemed to be too late in the possession, limiting the Roaring Lions set offenses to an average of 20 seconds.

"Poise under pressure was a big part of our game plan," said Fayette Coach Mark John.  "For the most part, our guards did a great job of handling the pressure.  It was the first time every one of these guards experienced the way Beaver plays defense.  With experience, they'll continue to get better," he added.

A three-pointer by C.J. Gaddis (Brownsville, Pa.), a layup by Luke Williams (Maui, Hawaii), a long three-pointer by Dominick Jackson (Minneapolis, Minn), and another long three by Darius Mack (Washington, D.C.) cut the Beaver lead to eight at the 11:30 mark in the first half.

The rivals continued to trade baskets until a feed from Gaddis to Bronder in the post made it a six-point game with a little over eight minutes remaining in the half.  All-Americans Nick Miller and Chris Weathers led Beaver on a 17-6 run to end the half, sending the Lions to the locker room down 53-30.

Beaver began the half with a 17-7 run, putting the Lions behind by 30.  Continuing to rely on their full court pressure, Coach Marcess Williams' Beaver squad kept the heat coming for nearly the duration of the game, forcing Fayette's guards into 22 turnovers, while shelling out only 11 assists.

Bronder and Gaddis led Fayette in scoring with 18 and 17 respectively.  Bronder went 8-11 from the field, including 1-1 from behind the arc.  He also pulled down a team high six rebounds.  Mack followed with 11 points, making three shots from behind the arc. 

Penn State Fayette is back in action Jan. 2 at 7:00 p.m, hosting he Bearcats from St. Vincent College.