Late second half run propels Nittany Lions to Holiday Tournament split

GAME SUMMARY

Penn State Mont Alto 65, Buffalo State 62

PENN STATE MONT ALTO LEADERS

Caleb Eckert had a team-leading 18 points on 6 of 15 shooting including going 6 of 9 from the free throw line. Nevaes Gordon added 14 points in 31 minutes of action, including gathering six boards and dishing out five assists.

BUFFALO STATE LEADERS

Christian Smallhorne scored a team-high 29 points off the bench in 24 minutes of action. Mally Peaker scored eight points with eight rebounds and two blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

-Penn State Mont Alto rushed out to an early 10-0 advantage within the games first five minutes, as four different starters got on the board early. Tyron Smith scored the first points for Buffalo State with 15:43 remaining in the first half on a three-point basket. 

-Mont Alto would go nearly three minutes until their next basket as Buffalo State was able to cut the deficit to 10-8 with 13:38 remaining in the half. Mont Alto took a 34-31 advantage into the half behind a balanced effort from Nevaes Gordon (8), Dariel Rivera (7), Caleb Eckert (6) and Bryson Fleming (5) each had more than five points in the first half.  

-Anthony Davis converted a Nevaes Gordon pass and made a layup to push the Mont Alto advantage to 40-35 with 17:20 to go in the game. Caleb Eckert scored the next four points for the Nittany Lions as they led by seven at 44-37. 

-Many second half lead changes had the game at 58-58 with 2:15 remaining following a Buffalo State basket by Smallhorne.

-Dariel Rivera and Caleb Eckert scored the final seven points for Mont Alto as they hung on for a 65-62 non-conference victory.  

Up Next: Saturday, January 7 5:00pm versus Harrisburg Area Community College... Parrish Petry Classic hosted by Penn State York