Penn State Shenango Men's Basketball had an eventful week with a convincing 100-75 victory over Penn State Lehigh Valley and a tough 97-84 loss to Penn State Schuylkill. The team will look to rebound as they take on Allegheny College this coming Monday at 7 PM.
In their first game, Shenango put together an offensive clinic, shooting 53% from the field and 46.2% from three-point range to defeat Penn State Lehigh Valley 100-75. Izzy Santiago led the way with a stellar performance, pouring in 24 points, including five three-pointers, and adding two steals. His long-range shooting was key as Shenango built an early lead. Malik Davis also had a strong all-around performance with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Cameron Brown contributed nine points, five rebounds, and three assists, while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, showing his efficiency in all aspects of the game. D'Montez Owens added 15 points and three assists, shooting 5-for-9 from the field. The depth of the team was evident with five players scoring in double figures, including Devin Alston, who posted 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
On the defensive end, Shenango limited Lehigh Valley's shooting to just 38.5% from the floor and 30.8% from beyond the arc, forcing 19 turnovers. Shenango's aggressive defense led to seven steals, contributing to their fast break opportunities and offensive rhythm. Despite a solid second-half effort from Lehigh Valley, who shot 45.2% in the final 20 minutes, the early lead built by Shenango proved to be insurmountable.
However, in their second game, Shenango faced a tougher challenge from Penn State Schuylkill, falling 97-84 despite a strong effort in the second half. The team shot 39.4% from the field overall and 36.4% from three-point range. The loss was tough, but there were several standout performances. D'Montez Owens led the way with 22 points, including three three-pointers, and also dished out six assists. Cameron Brown continued his strong play with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists, securing his second consecutive double-double. Malik Davis grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with 13 points, while also contributing a block and a steal in 29 minutes of action. Izzy Santiago added 18 points, hitting four three-pointers, and recorded one steal.
Schuylkill's offense was red-hot, shooting 48.7% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. They also capitalized on their free-throws, shooting 85.7% for the game. The combination of Schuylkill's shooting efficiency and their ability to win the rebounding battle (41 rebounds to Shenango's 33) ultimately wore down Shenango in the second half. Schuylkill's Dashawn Dixon was a force with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Makhi Jones contributed 23 points and five assists.
Shenango's defense struggled to contain Schuylkill's high-powered offense, allowing them to score 50 points in each half. Despite a strong effort in the second half, where Shenango matched Schuylkill's output with 50 of their own, they were unable to overcome a first-half deficit, ultimately falling short by 13 points.
Looking ahead, Shenango will have to fine-tune both their shooting efficiency and defensive efforts as they prepare to face Allegheny College on Monday night. They will be looking to return to their winning ways with key contributions from players like Owens, Brown, and Santiago, who have proven to be capable of leading the team in both scoring and leadership. With their balanced attack and depth, Shenango will aim to bounce back and secure a win before the Thanksgiving break.