(WILLIAMSPORT, PA:) Penn State Altoona almost pulled its
second upset in as many nights at the Lycoming Tip-Off Tournament Saturday,
narrowly falling to Kings College (PA) 61-59 in the championship game. The
Lions fell to 1-1 on the young season while the Monarchs improved to 2-0.
Trailing 61-58 with under two minutes remaining, freshman Kirk
Peters (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna Township) connected on one of two free throws
to cut the Altoona deficit to just two points. Senior forward Quintin
Dziabo (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria) misfired on the tying bucket with 50 seconds
left and, after a Colin Geiger (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) steal and team
timeout, the squad was unable to get the tying shot away.
Sporting seven seniors and superior size, Kings out-rebounded
the smaller Lions 47-26 and pulled 18 offensive boards. The Monarchs also
held a commanding 30-14 advantage in the painted area.
Dziabo led a balanced Lion attack with 10 points while Peters
and Geiger chipped in nine and eight, respectively. Twelve of the 13
Altoona players who saw action had at least two points, and, as a unit, the
Lions shot 41% from the field. The Monarchs got to the free throw line 28
times, connecting on 18 attempts, while Altoona was only 8-13 for the game.
The victors were fronted by Vince Scalzo's 18 points, nine of
which came at the charity stripe, and eight rebounds. Teammate Ryan
Nenstiel also hit double figures by scoring 10 points.
Kings, who won the Freedom Conference and appeared in the NCAA
Division III Tournament last season, and Altoona exchanged leads eight times in
the opening half. The Monarch advantage never surpassed six points as the
squad clung to a 34-30 lead at the break.
Dziabo represented the Lions on the all-tournament team.
Penn State Altoona returns to action this Tuesday, November 20, as reigning
Presidents Athletic Conference champion Grove City comes to the Adler Gym for an
8:00 PM start. The contest will serve as the home opener for the Lion men
and women, who meet Juniata College Tuesday at 6:00 PM.
CONTACT: Penn
State Altoona Sports Information
Steve Crider -- SID
814-949-5173
sac310@psu.edu
