Middletown, PA – Penn State Harrisburg won its tip-off tournament for the second straight year, winning a highly competitive matchup against Mt. Union. The Lions were led by tournament MVP Gbolahan Alliyu who recorded 13 points and 16 rebounds. The Blue & White got major contributions from All-Tournament team members Trent Thomas (14 points) and Kahlil Williams (12 points and 11 rebounds).
Penn State Harrisburg 73 vs. Mt. Union 68
Penn State Harrisburg Starters:
Ibn-Haneef Nelson, Davis Luethke, Trent Thomas, Gbolahan Alliyu, and Kahlil Williams
Mt. Union Starters:
Francesconi, Stenger, Bower-Malone, Kukura, and Niamke
Records:
Penn State Harrisburg: (3-0)
Mt. Union: (1-1)
Inside The Stats:
Field Goals: Penn State Harrisburg (28-65) vs. Mt. Union (25-59)
Assists: Harrisburg (9) vs. Mt. Union (10)
Turnovers: Harrisburg (17) vs. Mt. Union (13)
Rebounds: Harrisburg (49) vs. Mt. Union (29)
How it Happened:
The match up was highly competitive from the start with the lead being swapped back and forth throughout the first half. Despite early foul trouble, Gbolahan Alliyu posted 10 points and 6 rebounds in just six minutes of play. While Alliyu was off the floor, Trent Thomas and Kahlil Williams stepped up for the Lions scoring a combined 13 points. The Raiders would hit two 3-pointers in the last 1:19 seconds to go into halftime with a 34-30 advantage.
Harrisburg would come out of the locker room and even the game quickly with two 3-pointers from Thomas and Ibn-Haneef Nelson. The Lions would recapture the lead 42-40 and slowly build on it with good team play. The Blue & White held an 11 point advantage with 6:15 remaining when Kahlil Williams drove the lane and finished with a lay-up. The Raiders would not quit cutting the deficit to three with 44 seconds remaining. With 3.6 seconds Alliyu fouled out sending the Raiders Andrew Francesconi to the line for three free throws. Francesconi could not convert the opportunity and Harrisburg would hold on to pick up the victory.
Impact Performance:
Gbolahan Alliyu- 13 Points and 16 Rebounds
Trent Thomas- 14 Points
Kahlil Williams- 12 Points and 11 Rebounds
Coach Thoughts:
Head Coach Don Friday said, "I feel like in our young season we are finding ways to win and play different styles. What's exciting for us right now, is our room for growth and chemistry moving forward. Mt. Union presented different challenges for us, and I feel our kids made more winning plays. I believe this win will help us moving forward."
All-Tournament Team
Immaculata
Mike Piekarski G
Mt. Union
J.J. Kukura F
Nathan Bower-Malone G
Penn State Harrisburg
Gbolahan Alliyu C (Tournament MVP)
What's Next:
Penn State will open CAC action against Wesley on Tuesday November 21st at 8 pm.
