Men’s Basketball Win Second-Straight In Thrilling Fashion

By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

MONT ALTO, Pa. – With the scored tied up at 72 points apiece, Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) hit the go-ahead jumper for Mont Alto as their defense locked down Fayette forcing a turnover on the ensuing possession for the 74-72 win on Saturday. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Mont Alto starting lineup nearly had each starter score in double figures with Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) scoring a team-high 19 points, followed by Jihad Warner (Philadelphia, Pa. / Swenson Arts and Technology) who put up 16 points and Ryan Hege (Chambersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan) finished with 14 points.
• Marcus Roper (Charles Town, W. Va. / Jefferson) had nine points and Terrell Campbell (Germantown, Md. / St. Johns College Prep) also poured in nine, while also chipping in four assists and three rebounds.
• Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) continued his hot-streak of games hitting three 3-pointers, while shooting 7-of-12 from the field. The junior guard also added seven rebounds, two of which came on the offensive end of the floor.
• Mont Alto forced the visiting Roaring Lions into 18 turnovers.

How it Happened

• Penn State Mont Alto shot 48.3 percent from the field, but were held to just 5-of-21 from 3-point range as a team.
• Mont Alto built up its largest lead of the game at 13 points a little over four minutes into the game with a hot shooting start.
• Penn State Mont Alto dominated in the paint with 32 points in the post with starting Jihad Warner (Philadelphia, Pa. / Swenson Arts and Technology) and Ryan Hege (Chambersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan) combined for 30 of those points.
• London Hoxie tied it up at 72 points apiece for Penn State Fayette on a 3-pointer and forced a Mont Alto timeout with 21 seconds. Mont Alto ran down the clock out and Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) hit a jumper and the team's defense forced a turnover to end the game.

Notes

• Mont Alto improves to 8-8 overall and 3-5 in the PSUAC.
• London Hozie led the way for Penn State Fayette with 21 points on 8-of 16 shooting.

Penn State Mont Alto returns to action on Tuesday, January 23 with a home game against Valley Forge. The non-conference matchup will be the final home game of the month of January for Mont Alto with tipoff against the Patriots scheduled for 8 p.m.