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

MONT ALTO, Pa. – Penn State Mont Alto junior guard Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) was named men's basketball player of the week by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association on Tuesday.

Smith, who helped Mont Alto to a perfect 3-0 week and a five-game win streak that was just recently snapped averaged 25.7 points per game. He had a huge performance against the University of Valley Forge on Tuesday, January 23. He hit a game-tying shot with 45 seconds left to bring the score even before sinking the deciding free throw to secure the 74-73 win.

The team's leading scorer, Smith is averaging 20.4 points per game, which ranks fifth in the Penn State University Athletic Conference. He is shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and has hit 52 three-pointers overall

With his 96-point week, Smith now owns 921 points during his 59 career games.

Penn State Mont Alto return home for a pair of PSUAC contests this weekend beginning with a matchup with PSU Wilkes-Barre on Friday at 8 p.m.