Penn State DuBois senior forward Beau Verdill drives to the hoop for a layup during a home game this season at the PAW Center.
DuBOIS, Pa. — When the basketball seasons at Penn State DuBois roll through January and February, it means games within the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) come frequently. While this often presents challenges for the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions, it also gives both teams prime opportunities to climb in the west division of the PSUAC.
The Lady Lions began their week by visiting Penn State New Kensington on Feb. 4. A dominant second-half performance lifted DuBois to a 67-51 victory over New Kensington in a key matchup withing the west division of the PSUAC.
Sophomore forward Natalie Bowser led the way for the Lady Lions, pouring in a game-high 19 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting from the field. Senior Shannon Shaw added 17 points, connecting on five 3-pointers, while first-year Elizabeth Hungiville contributed 14 points and seven rebounds.
Penn State DuBois led 27-20 at halftime before breaking the game open with a 23-point third quarter. The Lady Lions shot 57.1% from the field in the period, with Bowser and Hungiville combining for 13 points to push the lead to double digits. The Lady Lions also controlled the paint, outscoring New Kensington 34-18 inside while winning the rebounding battle 32-19. Their defensive pressure also paid dividends, forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 19 points.
New Kensington was led by Jayde Rivera, who tallied 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Tori Johnson added 13 points, including three 3-pointers, but New Kensington struggled offensively, shooting just 38.3% from the field and 56.3% from the free-throw line.
Looking to continue their winning ways, the Lady Lions welcomed Penn State Fayette to the PAW Center on Feb. 8. A blistering third-quarter surge powered DuBois to a commanding 72-43 victory over Fayette.
Shaw led all scorers with 21 points, hitting seven 3-pointers to fuel the Lady Lions’ offense. Bowser turned in a dominant performance, recording a double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 9-for-10 from the field.
DuBois controlled the game early, building a 16-10 lead after the first quarter before holding Fayette to just two points in the second. The Lady Lions capitalized on their defensive efforts, outscoring Fayette 18-2 in the period to take a commanding 34-12 halftime lead. The Lady Lions erupted for 28 points in the third quarter, shooting 57.9% from the field while knocking down five 3-pointers. Shaw and Hungiville led the charge, combining for 14 points in the frame.
Fayette struggled offensively, shooting just 29.3% from the floor. Sophia Zalar led the visitors with 11 points and six rebounds, while Takiah Cheathon and Reagan Rudder each added 10 points.
DuBois dominated the glass, outrebounding Fayette 51-25 and collecting 20 offensive boards, leading to 24 second-chance points. The Lady Lions also got strong contributions from their bench, which outscored Fayette’s reserves 17-0.
Penn State first-year guard Eden Wonderling gives up a contested shot during a home game this season at the PAW Center.
The men’s team also had a busy week within the PSUAC, while also play a midweek nonconference contest. The Nittany Lions also started their week by traveling to face Penn State New Kensington away from home. A red-hot shooting performance led the Nittany Lions to an 89-76 win over New Kensington in an important game within the PSUAC.
Junior guard Niare Poplar was perfect from the field, scoring a team-high 19 points on 7-for-7 shooting, including four three-pointers. Sophomore guard Cole Love added 18 points off the bench, knocking down four three-pointers of his own, while junior Kyron Harbin matched Poplar’s scoring output with 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
The Nittany Lions set the tone early, taking a 42-35 lead into halftime behind a blistering 64% shooting performance in the first half. The hot streak continued in the second half as DuBois shot 60% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc to maintain control of the game. Senior guard Jordin Sommers and forward Ashton Fortson each chipped in two points, while sophomore point guard Kaleb Pryor contributed 13 points and four assists. Senior Beau Verdill added seven points and a block in the victory. The Nittany Lions capitalized on turnovers, converting 30 points off New Kensington’s 19 giveaways. DuBois’ bench played a key role, outscoring New Kensington’s reserves 46-10.
New Kensington was led by Ta’Rasi Means, who posted a game-high 23 points. Aubrey Feaster II added 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting, while Mekhi Murray tallied 14 points. Despite shooting an impressive 71.4% from the field, New Kensington struggled from beyond the arc, making just 2-of-9 three-point attempts.
Penn State DuBois stepped outside the PSUAC on Feb. 5 when they traveled to face Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II opponent. The Nittany Lions battled but ultimately fell to IUP 88-70 at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.
The Nittany Lions kept pace with the Crimson Hawks early but struggled to contain IUP’s efficient offense, which shot 54% from the field. DuBois trailed 48-33 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the second half despite solid shooting from beyond the arc.
The Nittany Lions had a balanced scoring effort from the team. Harbin led Penn State DuBois with 17 points, going 7-for-22 from the field and adding seven rebounds. Love contributed 11 points off the bench, knocking down three three-pointers. Jadon Myers provided a spark as well, scoring 10 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting performance. The Nittany Lions’ bench played a significant role, accounting for 55 of the team’s 70 points. James Pearson and Nate Cornelius each chipped in six points, while Malachi Schaefer added five.
IUP capitalized on high-percentage shots, scoring 50 points in the paint and shooting 54% overall. Damir Brooks and Tyler Grove paced the Crimson Hawks with 16 points each, while Christian Moore added 13. Kymani Merraro controlled the offense, finishing with 11 points and an impressive 11 assists. The Crimson Hawks’ ability to dominate the glass played a key role, out-rebounding Penn State DuBois 42-30. Their second-chance opportunities and inside presence proved too much for the Nittany Lions to overcome.
Following the loss, Penn State DuBois jumped back into PSUAC play when they hosted Penn State Fayette at the PAW Center on Feb. 8. In a game that was close throughout, the Nittany Lions secured a conference win, beating Fayette 91-88.
The Nittany Lions used a balanced scoring attack and clutch shooting to fend off Fayette, with Verdill leading the charge. Verdill recorded a double-double, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds while shooting an efficient 10-for-15 from the field. Poplar added 16 points, and Harbin contributed 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench to help power DuBois to the win.
Fayette was paced by a dominant performance from Dasilas Jones, who poured in a game-high 30 points while collecting 12 rebounds. Zachary Hill also made a strong impact, tallying 18 points, while Brandon Dennison provided a spark off the bench with 16 points.
DuBois led 44-40 at halftime, capitalizing on strong shooting and aggressive rebounding. Fayette fought back in the second half, keeping the game within reach behind Jones’ relentless scoring and a strong defensive effort. However, Du Bois held on in the closing moments, thanks in part to key free throws and a late defensive stand.
The Nittany Lions' bench proved to be the difference, outscoring Fayette’s reserves 36-16. Du Bois also took advantage of turnovers, converting Fayette’s 17 miscues into 27 points.
With just two more weeks left in the regular season, both the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions will be looking to continue their winnings ways this week with continued play within the PSUAC.
The Lady Lions, who are on a three-game win streak and currently sit at 10-9 for the season and 8-5 within the PSUAC, will begin their week on Wednesday, Feb. 12, when they travel to face Penn State Greater Allegheny at 6 p.m. The team will then host Penn State Shenango at the PAW Center on Saturday, Feb. 15. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Currently, the Lady Lions are in third place in the west division of the PSUAC, meaning they are within the qualification spots for the upcoming conference playoffs.
The Nittany Lions will follow a similar path for their games this week. DuBois has won six of their last seven games and holds a 10-12 record for the season and a 7-6 record within the conference. They will begin play this week on Wednesday, Feb. 12, when they travel to face Penn State Greater Allegheny for an 8 p.m. tipoff. Then, the Nittany Lions will host Penn State Shenango on Saturday, Feb. 15, for a 3 p.m. start. DuBois currently sits in first place within the west division of the PSUAC and are within the qualification spots for the upcoming conference playoffs.
For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.
