MBB wins non-conference thriller

Lemont Furnace, PA - Tavian Mozie (McClellandtown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) hit a free throw with four seconds left to lift Penn State Fayette to a 78-77 win over Community College of Allegheny County Wednesday night.

"What a great basketball game," Fayette coach Marcus Thomas said. "It was really fun to be a part of and I feel that both teams deserved to win.  Fortunately, we were able to grind it out and sneak away with the win.  While we didn't defend like we are capable of, we executed in the second half offensively and I feel that this was the difference."

There were 14 lead changes and five ties in the game.

It appeared early that Fayette (8-11) would roll as it led by 12 points with 5:03 to go in the first half, but CCAC fought to get back into the game and took a 37-36 lead into the half.

After CCAC took a 60-59 lead with 9:50 to play, Josh Hankins (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle HS) made a layup to take a 61-60 lead with 9:23 to go and CCAC would not lead again.  CCAC tied the game with 0:18 to play on a pair of free throws by Malik Stewart, and Mozie hit the game-winning free throw after being fouled.

Mozie finished with 29 points while Hankins had a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Tuesday, Fayette dropped a Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) game to Penn State DuBois (10-9, 6-7), 80-55.

We weren't very good in any aspect, which was disappointing," first-year head coach Marcus Thomas said. "We were outplayed at both ends of the floor from start to finish.  We all need to be better, including myself."

Fayette was cold all night from the floor as it only shot 31% (20-65), including 18% (5-28) from beyond the arc.

Hankins was the lone Fayette player in double figures with 13 points and he also grabbed nine rebounds.

Fayette will look to make a move as it has six PSUAC games left.  It returns to the court on Wednesday when it heads to Penn State New Kensington (3-15, 2-10) for an 8:00 PM start.

"I hope we are able to carry some of the momentum from the (CCAC) win into New Kensington next week," Thomas said. "It is going to be a big one for us."

When the two teams played at Fayette on December 13, Fayette pulled out a win, 69-61.

For more information on the men's basketball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/mbkb/index or follow us on Instagram @fayetteathletics.