NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - Despite a game-high 20 points from senior Jamison Nee (Natrona Heights, Pa/Highlands), Penn State New Kensington dropped a home contest to Penn State Shenango 69-60 on Saturday. A 13-0 run early in the second half, punctuated by three and-one plays, proved the difference in favor of the visitors, as Shenango broke a 37-37 tie and never relinquished the advantage.
With the defeat, New Kensington fell to 3-16 overall, and 2-11 in Penn State University Athletic Conference action. Conversely, Shenango improved to 8-11, and 8-5 in PSUAC play.
Although Shenango held a nine-point lead just more than a minute into the second half, host New Ken battled back, starting with a layup by freshman Sammy Carey (Springdale, Pa/Springdale). Joseph Dusabe (Fox Chapel) followed with another layup, and after a basket by Shenango, the home team rattled off seven straight points.
From that point forward, however, Shenango took control, as Brayden Martin hit a three-pointer, and Malcolm Rouse, BJ Williams, and Martin all made conventional three-point plays on consecutive possessions.
Tyrone Johnson's layup ended the spurt for Shenango, but New Ken never pulled within two possessions the rest of the way, despite an improbable five-point play from Wilson Rojas (Pittsburgh, Pa/Haverlock). Rojas hit a three-pointer, and was fouled after the shot went through - with New Ken in the double bonus, he stroked both shots, giving him five points in a single possession.
In addition to Nee's scoring output, he posted nine rebounds and four assists. Brian Davidson (Pittsburgh, Pa/North Catholic) was the only other player in double figures scoring for New Kensington, with 11, while Carey paced the team with 11 rebounds.
Five players scored in double figures for Shenango, with Tyler James and Donovan Verges each netting 15. Both players notched double-doubles, as Verges snatched 12 boards, while James had 11, as well as three blocks.
New Kensington returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Feb 5, when it hosts Penn State Fayette at 8 p.m.
Written by Sean Meyers
