Penn State DuBois basketball teams close out up and down week on the hardwood

DuBOIS, Pa. – As both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Penn State DuBois continue their long stretch of Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) contests heading into February, both teams have experienced some ups and downs. With just one game left in January, both teams are looking to close out the month on a positive note.

The Lady Lions started off their week on Jan. 24 when they hosted Penn State Beaver in a key divisional matchup within the PSUAC. In a hard-fought contest, Penn State DuBois faced a tough challenge against Beaver, ultimately falling short with a final score of 69-60.

The Lady Lions showed resilience throughout the game, especially in the second quarter where they outscored their opponents 20-14. Tara Leamer led the home team's efforts with an impressive double-double, contributing 19 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Frances Milliron also showcased her skills, recording four rebounds and five assists.

However, despite the individual efforts, Beaver maintained control, displaying a balanced offense. Makitah Logan led the visitors with 18 points, well-supported by Emery Black's 16 points and Daniela Guzman's eight points.

Despite the loss, the Lady Lions displayed a strong presence from beyond the arc, shooting at a 34.8% success rate from 3-point range. Shannon Shaw was particularly effective, connecting on five 3-pointers to finish with a team-high 18 points.

DuBois faced challenges at the free-throw line, converting only 44.4% of their attempts, while Beaver capitalized on their opportunities, finishing with a 64.7% free-throw percentage.

As the game concluded, the Lady Lions fought until the final buzzer, but Beaver's balanced offense and ability to capitalize on turnovers proved to be the decisive factors in the 69-60 victory.

Penn State DuBois returned to the court on Jan. 27, traveling to Penn State Mont Alto. The Lady Lions were looking to snap a three-game losing streak coming into this game. DuBois faced a challenging outing against Mont Alto and despite a determined effort, the Lady Lions fell short, losing 61-30.

DuBois struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, shooting at 21.2% from the field. Shaw led the Lady Lions with nine points, but the team faced difficulties in both the paint and beyond the arc, shooting only 1-17 from 3-point range.

Defensively, Penn State DuBois managed to accumulate six steals and five blocks, showcasing their tenacity on that end of the court. However, they faced challenges on the boards, securing 30 rebounds compared to Mont Alto's 49.

Mont Alto also capitalized on turnovers, outscoring DuBois 18-9 in points off turnovers. Additionally, their efficient shooting, especially from beyond the arc, shooting 61.5% in the contest, contributed significantly to their victory.

On the men’s side, the Nittany Lions also began their week with a home game against Penn State Beaver. In a commanding performance at the PAW Center, Penn State DuBois showcased their basketball prowess with a resounding 102-69 victory over Penn State Beaver.

The home team's offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting an impressive 57.1% from the field throughout the game. Leading the charge for the Nittany Lions was Jaiquil Johnson, who delivered an outstanding 28-point performance, connecting on 12 of 19 field goals, including three successful 3-pointers. Kaleb Pryor contributed significantly with 24 points, going 10-15 from the field, while Ashton Fortson and Beau Verdill played crucial roles in both scoring and rebounding.

DuBois dominated the paint, outscoring Beaver 68-42. The Nittany Lions capitalized on turnovers, scoring 29 points off Beaver's 25 miscues. DuBois' defense was stifling, tallying 18 steals and preventing Beaver from gaining many fast-break points.

The first half set the tone for the Nittany Lions, establishing a comfortable lead with a score of 51-35. The team's offensive efficiency continued in the second half, securing the decisive victory.

The victory was not without its challenges, but their overall performance overshadowed any setbacks. With a well-rounded effort from the entire team, DuBois demonstrated their dominance on both ends of the court, delighting the home standing crowd.

With momentum on their side as they rode a two-game win streak, the Nittany Lions then traveled to play Penn State Mont Alto. This was the second time these two teams have seen each other, with Mont Alto winning the previous matchup in November.

The Nittany Lions faced a tough challenge against Mont Alto, resulting in a 90-69 defeat at the Multipurpose Activities Center.

Despite a resilient effort from DuBois, the team struggled to contain Mont Alto's offensive prowess. Johnson led the scoring for the Nittany Lions with an impressive 20 points, while Pryor and Kyron Harbin also contributed with 18 and 11 points, respectively.

The first half saw Mont Alto dominating with a 41-25 lead, showcasing their efficiency with a 58.6% field goal percentage. DuBois fought back in the second half, improving their shooting to 46.7%, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions managed to create opportunities with 12 steals and three blocks, but Mont Alto's strong offensive presence, scoring 66 points in the paint, proved challenging to counter.

This week, both teams will return to the court for two games, including a home game for each over the weekend. First, the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions will travel to play Penn State Fayette on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The women’s game will start the evening off with a 6 p.m. tip off and the men’s game will follow at 8 p.m. Both teams will return home to the PAW Center on Saturday, Feb. 3, when Penn State DuBois hosts Penn State Greater Allegheny for afternoon matchups. The Lady Lions will start the afternoon off with a 1 p.m. start, followed by the Nittany Lions tipping their game off at 3 p.m.

For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.