NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - After holding a halftime lead, the New Kensington men struggled in the second half in a 72-65 loss to Penn State Fayette on Tuesday. A poor shooting performance doomed host New Ken, which hit just 4-of-19 shots from three-point distance, and was 7-of-19 on foul shots.

With the defeat, New Kensington falls to 4-6 overall, and 2-4 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference. Conversely, Fayette improved to 6-6 overall, including 2-4 in the PSUAC.

Fayette jumped out to an early advantage, leading 16-6, but host New Kensington responded with a 15-3 surge to take the lead. Although the score was deadlocked later in the opening half, Shyheim Flanagan (St. Martinville, La/Westside), Benjamin Cunningham (Woodbridge, Va/Christ Chapel Academy), and Aubrey Feaster II (Buffalo, NY/William B Travis) all scored in the final three minutes to give New Ken a 33-29 lead at halftime.

The teams exchanged leads frequently in the second half, but with less than 10 minutes remaining, Fayette's Will Hagwood scored to put his team ahead 47-45, and the visitors didn't relinquish the advantage the rest of the way.

In the defeat, reserve Evan Clarke (Aston, Pa/Garnet Valley) led New Kensington with 20 points, and he also provided nine rebounds and four steals. Flanagan posted 15 points and four steals, Feaster II netted 12 points, and Manny Dotson (Pittsburgh, Pa/Nazareth Prep) contributed a game-high 18 rebounds.

Fayette had five players score in double figures, with Dasilas Jones pacing the offense with 15 points and five assists. Tavian Mozie and Maurice Freeman each contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while Hagwood scored a dozen points.

New Kensington next plays on the road on Friday, Dec. 10 against Penn State Hazleton.