NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington men's basketball team continues its nonconference schedule Nov. 18-19 at the Penn State Greater Allegheny Tip-off Tournament in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. New Kensington meets Penn Highlands College on Friday and Community College of Allegheny College-Boyce on Saturday.
Head coach Art McCray’s squad is coming off a season-opening two-game split in the John Benchoff Tournament at Penn State Mont Alto. The New Kensington Lions, 1-1 on the year, fell to Central Penn College, 121-103, on Nov. 4, before defeating Davis College, 109-98, the next day. The high-powered offense is averaging 106 points per game, tops in the nation in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
Junior guard Jordan Williams (East Allegheny High School) was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 42 points, including a team-high 28 in the victory over Davis. Freshman forward Kenny Rouse-Strothers (West Mifflin) also had a two-game total of 42 points as the New Kensington Lions had four players averaging in double figures in scoring. Freshman forward Alex Bell (Allderdice) averaged 19.5 points and a team-best 9.5 rebounds. Sophomore guard Javon Turner (Beaver Falls) scored at a 16.5 points per game clip.
Two other players proved capable of being a big part of the scoring mix. In the first game, sophomore forward Shane Baronner (Western Branch) posted a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman guard Juwan Willis (Woodland Hills) poured in 19 points.
McCray’s squad begins its quest for a Penn State University Athletic Conference title at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Penn State DuBois. After the DuBois game, New Kensington return home for the first time for a three-game home stand against PSUAC foes in the Athletics Center. The Lions meet Penn State Wilkes-Barre at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and Penn State Worthington Scranton at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Three days later, Penn State Fayette travels to Upper Burrell Township for a 7 p.m. contest on Dec. 6.
“The PSUAC will be extremely competitive this season,” McCray said. “I'm expecting our freshmen to continue to be major contributors to our program as we continue to compete.”
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