Beaver Tops NHTI with OT Buzzer Beater

By Noelle Miloszewski

Monaca, PA - On Saturday, Nov. 14 the Penn State Beaver Nittany Lions men's basketball team topped New Hampshire Technical Institute (Concord, NH) with an overtime buzzer beater to win its home opener, 61-59, and advance to the championship game of the Penn State Beaver USCAA Tip-Off Tournament.

In the first half, the Lions built a 12-point lead, but NHTI only trailed by five at the half, 28-23. In the second half, both teams rallied back and forth. Down one with just seconds left on the clock, freshman Jamison Gibson (Ambridge High School, Ambridge, PA) drove hard to the basket and drew a foul. Making the first and missing the second, the game went into overtime tied at 54.

Tied up again at 59, Beaver gained posession with 20 seconds to go. NHTI locked the Lions down but in the last few seconds, sophomore Anthony McPherson (Center High School, Aliquippa, PA) drove baseline and drained a mid-range jumper to win the game, 61-59.

McPherson led the Lions with 16 points. Senior Tim Kubis (Hopewell High School, Aliquippa, PA) and Tony Houghton (Perry Traditional Academy, Pittsburgh, PA) both added 11 points each. Senior Zack Fetchin (Hopewell High School, Aliquippa, PA) contributed 10 points and a game high of 12 rebounds.

The Lions are now 1-0 and advance to the 4 p.m. championship game tomorrow against Williamson Trade.