Late Shot Pushes Beaver Ahead

Story and Photo Credit: Chris Best 

Mont Alto, PA--- Sunday afternoon Penn State Beaver took on Penn State Mont Alto looking for a needed win. 

Looking for a much needed win Beaver came out on fire and jumped out to 22-9 run in the first ten minutes of play. Mont Alto got closer with Beaver cutting the score to 22-17. With 9 seconds left in the first half, Willie James (Pittsburgh, PA/Westinghouse) netted a three pointer to push the lead to 40-31 at halftime. 

Within the first 5 mintues of play in the second half Beaver jumped out to a 51-37 lead. Mont Alto came together and started cutting the lead by making multiple runs to come back. With 7 minutes left Mont Alto took the lead 63-62. James made a shot while getting foulded and finished the free throw to take the lead. With 2 minutes left, Beaver almost looked defeated by being down 71-67. Marcus Smith (Pittsburgh, PA/Perry) shot two foul shots but only made one which put Beaver 71-68.

With 40 seconds left Mont Alto went up by four points making it look promising for Mont Alto, but then Chris Best (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Ford) makes both free throws which puts beaver down 70-72. With 29 seconds left Smith isolated his defender and made a layup to put Beaver within one point of Mont Alto. As Sharif Welton misses both free throws for Mont Alto, Best dribbles down the court drives past his defender kicks out to Lamont Wright (Pittsburgh,PA/ Penn Hills) and Wright finishes the three pointer with 8 seconds left. Beaver was now ahead 75-73. Mont Alto came down had a chance to win but missed a contested shot. Penn State Beaver went on to win the game 75-73.

Smith was the leading scorer with 17 points, followed by Christian James Frederick, MD/ Frederick 14 points, Tiere Phillips Pittsburgh, PA/Penn Hills) finished with 12. Wright added 8 points. 

Beaver's next game is January 21st against Penn State Fayette at 8 p.m.