Payne Wins Second Weekly Award as USCAA Player of the Week
After an outstanding week, PSUGA senior Jordon Payne wins his second weekly honor after being named this week's USCAA Men's Basketball Player of the Week. Payne scored 71 total points in two games to lead PSUGA to a 2-0 record
McKeesport, PA. - Its another day and another award won for Penn State Greater Allegheny Men's Basketball senior Jordon Payne (McKeesport, PA./McKeesport HS). After an impressive week in which he scored 71 points and led his team to a 2-0 record, Payne was announced on Wednesday as the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
It was the second time this week that Payne is being recognized for his efforts after winning the Penn State University Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week award on Tuesday. After having a slow start to the season by his standards, Payne came through in a big way when his team needed him most this week.
It started with Payne dropping 26 points in a crucial 83-77 win over Penn State Mont Alto last Tuesday. After his team found themselves down 39-33 at halftime, Payne would lead them with 19 second half points as PSUGA scored 50 in the half to help them pick up their fifth win in a row.
Payne's week was only beginning as he would have his biggest and best effort of the season against PSU-Scranton on Friday. After hitting eight three-pointers in the first half, Payne was on the verge of making a name for himself not only at PSUGA but at the National level as well.
He went on to hit a total of 14 threes in the game and fell just one short of tying the all-time single game three point record for all levels of NCAA which was set by Jordon Lyons in 2018. Payne would however break the single game three-point record at PSUGA, a record he himself set a season ago, while also breaking the single game scoring record finishing with 45 points.
Payne is having another successful year averaging 20.5 points per game ranking sixth in the PSUAC. With 1569 career points, Payne is trying to become the all-time leading scorer in PSUGA history. To get there, he would have to pass Anthony Rivers's all-time mark of 1846 which was set back in 2008.
It is the second time this season that Payne has been recognized by the USCAA after being named Men's Basketball Player of the Week back on November 18th 2018. Payne's win also marks the fifth time this season that a PSUGA athlete has been recognized by the USCAA.
Payne and his team will return to action on Friday when they go on the road to face PSU-York in a big conference matchup at 7 p.m.