MBB drops a pair of non-conference road games

The Penn State Fayette men's basketball team dropped a pair of non-conference road games over the weekend as it fell Saturday at Miami University-Hamilton, 90-81 and then dropped an 85-69 game Sunday at University of Cincinnati-Clermont.

                "We battled (Saturday) but weren't able to make plays down the stretch," said first-year coach Marcus Thomas. "It was pretty simple (Sunday) as we weren't mentally ready to go at the start of the game."

                Iman Young (Silver Springs, MD/West Potomac HS) led Fayette (1-3) Saturday with 18 points, Trevor Laskody (Morgantown, WV/Trinity Christian HS) had 17, Junior Saluca (Suva, Fiji/Laurel Highlands HS) added 11 and Tavian Mozie (McClellandtown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) finished with 10.

                "We have to find a way to remain mentally focused for 40 minutes," Thomas said Saturday. "We had several mental lapses throughout the game and it cost us.  Whether it is attention to detail on a scouting report, a critical turnover, missed defensive rebounds, the little things are costing us.  We are really close to putting things together but we need 100% mental focus for a complete 40 minutes." 

                Young once again led Fayette on Sunday with 21 points and 12 rebounds, Josh Hankins (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle HS) had 17 points and seven rebounds, Mozie finished with 11 points and Dom Boring (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster HS) also finished in double figures with 10 points.

                "We made a ton of mental mistakes and it cost us," Thomas said. "We can't wait until the second half to start playing the way we are capable of playing.  I hope this is a lesson that our young group learns quickly.  We have another quick turnaround as we start conference play Tuesday."

                Fayette opens its home docket Tuesday when it hosts Penn State Shenango in its Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) opener Tuesday.

                Tipoff is 7:00 PM.

                For more information on the women's basketball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wbkb/index or follow us on Instagram @fayetteathletics.