Penn State DuBois basketball teams looking to continue winning ways on the court

DuBOIS, Pa. – While it wasn’t their busiest week of the basketball season, it was a positive week for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Penn State DuBois. Each team played two important games in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC), and with two weeks left in the regular season, every game moving forward is important for both the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions.

The week started for the women’s team on Feb. 7 when the team traveled to face Penn State Beaver for a divisional matchup within the PSUAC. DuBois faced a tough challenge on the road, succumbing to a formidable Beaver squad with a final score of 80-69.

In the opening quarter, the Lady Lions battled fiercely, keeping the score close at 21-19. Frances Milliron displayed offensive prowess, contributing 10 points, while Shannon Shaw added to the effort with 19 points, showcasing a sharp shooting performance from beyond the arc. However, the momentum shifted in the second quarter as Beaver widened the gap. Despite a commendable effort on the boards, led by Natalie Bowser's 14 rebounds, DuBois struggled to contain the home team's offensive onslaught.

The third quarter saw a spirited response from the Lady Lions, with Rebecca Martin and Tara Leamer contributing to a 21-point effort. In the final quarter, DuBois fought valiantly, but Beaver's consistent scoring and defensive pressure proved insurmountable. Despite a balanced offensive performance, the Lady Lions couldn't close the gap, ultimately falling short with a final score of 80-69.

Following the tough road loss, the Lady Lions returned home to the PAW Center to host Penn State Shenango, looking to get back on the winning track and continue their push towards the PSUAC playoffs. In a closely contested matchup, DuBois secured a hard-fought victory against Shenango with a final score of 54-49. The game was marked by intense competition, showcasing the determination and skill of both teams.

The first quarter saw a tight battle, with Shenango taking an 11-9 lead. However, DuBois responded in the second quarter, narrowing the gap to 26-24 by halftime.

The third quarter proved pivotal for the Lady Lions, as they unleashed a strong offensive performance, outscoring Shenango 16-8. The home team capitalized on this momentum, entering the final quarter with a 40-34 lead.

Despite a resilient effort from Shenango in the fourth quarter, DuBois maintained their composure and secured the win. Key contributions came from Milliron, who led the team with 13 points, and Bowser, who added 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. DuBois' defense played a crucial role, limiting Shenango to a shooting percentage of 27.4%. The home team's bench also made valuable contributions, outscoring their counterparts 17 to 6.

In the end, the Lady Lions celebrated a well-earned victory, showcasing their resilience and teamwork throughout the game, while improving their record to 9-10 on the season.

On the men’s side, the Nittany Lions also made the drive to visit Penn State Beaver to begin their week of competition. In a high-scoring clash at the Beaver Field House, DuBois showcased their offensive prowess, defeating Beaver with a final score of 88-73.

Leading the charge for the Nittany Lions was Beau Verdill, who delivered an outstanding performance with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and three steals. Jaiquil Johnson also made a significant impact, contributing 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Kaleb Pryor orchestrated the offense efficiently, tallying eight assists to go along with five points.

The first half saw DuBois asserting dominance, shooting an impressive 51.2% from the field and building a substantial 49-37 lead by halftime. The team continued their solid shooting performance in the second half, finishing the game with a 51.4% field goal percentage. Defensively, the Nittany Lions capitalized on turnovers, accumulating 20 points off Beaver's miscues. The team's tenacious defense also resulted in 13 steals and four blocks.

Despite Beaver's efforts, with Chris Green leading the way with 15 points, DuBois maintained control throughout the game. The victory showcased a balanced offensive attack and tenacious defense from the Nittany Lions, providing a promising outlook as they navigate the remainder of the season.

Riding the high of the win earlier in the week, Penn State DuBois headed home to the PAW Center to host Penn State Shenango on Feb. 10. In a closely contested battle, DuBois emerged victorious against Shenango with a final score of 95-87, showcasing their offensive prowess and deep bench.

The Nittany Lions were led by Kyron Harbin, who delivered an outstanding performance with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Pryor contributed 17 points, while Verdill added 16 points and six rebounds. The team's three-point shooting was particularly impressive, connecting on 50% of their attempts.

The first half saw DuBois establishing a solid lead with a well-rounded offensive performance, shooting 51.7% from the field and heading into halftime with a 42-31 advantage. The team continued their efficient scoring in the second half, ultimately finishing the game with a 50.8% field goal percentage.

Despite a resilient effort from Shenango, led by Cameron Brown's 21 points and D'Montez Owens' 23 points, DuBois maintained control throughout the game. The Nittany Lions’ bench played a crucial role, contributing 49 points compared to Shenango's 23, showcasing the team's depth.

DuBois capitalized on turnovers, scoring 17 points off Shenango's miscues, and showcased their ability to control the boards, outrebounding Shenango 37-35. The victory highlighted Penn State Du Bois' balanced offensive attack, three-point shooting proficiency, and the significant impact of their bench.

For the upcoming week, the games on the schedule for both the men’s and women’s teams will play a huge role in improving the playoff positioning for both teams. The week will start for the Nittany Lions, who are now on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last eight games, when they are scheduled host Butler County Community College on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the PAW Center. They will then play their final regular season home game on Saturday when they play Penn State Fayette at 3 p.m.

For the women’s team, they will have a bit of a slower week, as they will return to action on Saturday when they host Penn State Fayette at 1 p.m. at the PAW Center. In addition to Saturday’s games being the final home games of the season, it will also be senior day for both the men’s and women’s teams, with senior members of both teams being recognized throughout the day.

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