Prota with Twenty in 96-76 Showout over Penn Highlands

McKeesport, Pa. - After a 96-76 victory over Penn Highlands, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's basketball team completed their annual PSUGA Tip-Off Tournament with a perfect 2-0 record.

Junior guard Moe Alli (Edison, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) was the first on the board for the Lions with a good layup. Sophomore forward George Prota (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward), junior guard Jeremy McMunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) and Alli all laid on points in the paint before junior guard Khari Hicks (East Hills, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) took the lead, 12-11 just seven minutes into the game.

Junior guard Jumanne Butler-McDaniel (Franklin, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) and sophomore guard Jordon Payne (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) put up points in the paint s Prota put up four, 24-20 Penn Highlands. Butler-McDaniel added a jumper and one before Prota answered again. McMunn hammered down a three as Prota and junior forward Curtis Newby (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) laid points down, Greater Allegheny still trailing 34-32 with three minutes until halftime. 

Hicks snapped with a trey outside the arc as Newby added two himself. Payne took a three-pointer to five GA the lead 40-39. Prota noted a layup before Newby cashed on the final points of the half, Greater Allegheny in the lead 45-42.

Newby, Alli and Prota were the first to get on the board to start the new half of action, 53-51 GA. Newby placed four straight as Hicks and Prota downed points in the paint, 61-54 just six minutes into the new half.

Newby and Prota marked points from the foul line before Prota, Payne and Newby put up points from the floor, Greater Allegheny still in the drivers seat, 70-68. Hicks and Payne continued before Alli broke their streak with a layup of his own, 83-70 with four minutes of action remaining. 

Freshman guard Connor Paoletti (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) laid in a layup as Butler-McDaniel, Newby and McMunn followed his lead - McMunn with an and-one; Greater Allegheny leading 92-75 with less than two left.

Newby completed a pair from the foul line as Butler-McDaniel cashed in for the final points of the game, GA in front 96-76.

Five Lions recorded double-digits in the contest, Prota leading the pack with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Newby matched his 20 points and put up seven boards, four blocks and three assists. Payne added 14 points with eight rebounds as Alli surged with 12 points and eight rebounds.

As a team, the Lions out-rebounded the Black Bears by a margin of 56-33 while completing 53.2% (42-of-79) from the floor and 53.3% (8-of-15) from the foul line. GA noted 60 points in the paint while capitalizing on 22 points on second-chance.

Greater Allegheny (4-2) look to open Penn State University Athletic Conference action after the holiday, as Penn State Beaver comes to Wunderley Gymnasium on Tuesday November 29th. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.