By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director
MONT ALTO, Pa. – The Penn State Mont Alto men's basketball team dropped a 76-61 decision on Saturday to Johnson & Wales. PSUMA fell to 1-1 on the season as it hosted the 8th annual John F. Benchoff Tournament this weekend. Prior to tip-off the Mont Alto basketball programs honored former long-time athletic director Marty Ogle in a pregame ceremony where along with his widow Sammee, they made a $1500 donation to the Jimmy V fund.
Inside the Box Score
- The teams shot relatively well in the first half considering the stingy defense with J&W shooting 15-39 from the floor compared to PSUMA who shot 13-of-17.
- A pair of 20-point scorers in Majerle Poole and Robert Hobson powered the Wildcats.
- Sophomore guard Quintyn Flemister (Harrisburg, Pa. / Harrisburg) finished with a team-high 17 points and shot 4-of-7 from downtown. He also chipped in five rebounds and five assists.
- Johnson & Wales (NC) finished shooting 38.5 percent from the field compared to the Nittany Lions who shot 34.2 percent.
- Mont Alto forced 16 turnovers to keep it close within the second half including seven steals.
How it Happened
- It was a defensive struggle early with both teams attempting to pound the ball in the paint. John Teague (Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) scored four early points. The game began to open up with the teams trading buckets from deep and Johnson & Wales was forced into a timeout after a Teague putback to make it 19-17.
- The teams continued to spar until the Wildcats outscored PSUMA 9-5 in the final 2:43 of the half to carry a nine point lead into halftime (38-29).
- Both teams intensity picked up within the second half and the Wildcats forced a Mont Alto timeout just over five minutes in after taking the 45-34 lead.
- J&W stretched its lead to 64-50 with 4:47 left after a Majerle Poole layup. PSUMA couldn't put a run together down the stretch with the final of 76-61.
The Wildcats Robert Hobson was named tournament MVP after averaging 22 points against Mont Alto and PSU York. Mont Alto's Quintyn Flemister (Harrisburg, Pa. / Harrisburg) and John Teague (Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) were named to the All-Tournament team. The Nittany Lions return to action on Tuesday, November 12 when they host Frederick Community College. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.
