Men’s Basketball Completes Season Sweep over Williamson College of the Trades with 60-58 Win

By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

MEDIA, Pa. – The Penn State Mont Alto men's basketball team completed the season sweep over Williamson College of the Trades on Saturday thanks to pair of free throws from the line from Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) and a make with less than a second left by Terell Campbell (Germantown, Md. / St. John's College Prep). The Nittany Lions secured a 74-66 win over the Mechanics earlier this season and its nail biting 60-58 win on Saturday improves their record to 6-6 overall.

Williamson College of the Trades held a 31-26 halftime lead and even built up a 12-point lead at one point due to the rusty play of the Nittany Lions who were playing in their first game back from the holiday break. Mont Alto was cold from the floor in the first half shooting 35.7 percent and were held to one made three-pointer from Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) within the half. Williamson's bench had an outstanding half contributing 19 points including nine from reserve guard James Hill.

Penn State Mont Alto shook off the rust in the second half and caught fire from downtown shooting 8-of-13 (61.5%) and the team was much better defensively holding the Mechanics to 34.5% shooting from the field and forced 12 turnovers. The Nittany Lions defense keyed the come from behind victory as their free throws down the stretch put the game on ice.

Jalen Smith (Ranson, W. Va. / Jefferson) ended with a game-high 21 points as he also had four steals and four rebounds. Jordan Gillis (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) and Nick Jacoby (Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) combined for 19 points off coach Jack Schenzel's bench.

Mont Alto will look to build on Saturday's victory when it plays next in a road game with Penn State York on Friday, Jan. 12. Game time is slated for 8 p.m.