#4 Fayette Stuns Point Park, Makes School History
For the first time in school history, The Penn State Fayette Roaring Lions (7-0, 10-3), ranked #4 in the latest USCAA Coaches Poll, rolled past the Pioneers of Point Park (10-7, 2-2) 111 - 97 in game that was certainly "as advertised". This, the second meeting between the two teams, boasted promises of an up-tempo rematch from November 12. The Pioneers overcame a Roaring Lion second half double digit lead in the first meeting to squeak out an 88 - 85 victory. "We've thought about that game for two months, and we knew they had to come here to play us this time," commented Senior forward Matt McKenna. Monday's game was Fayette's first of the semester, ending a month-long break in game play.
After giving up the first 4 points of the game, Fayette's offensive barrage ignited. Led by Seniors McKenna, Jacob Bronder, Brandon Cunningham, Junior CJ Gaddis, the Roaring Lions showed true poise and character from tip to buzzer.
Point guard Gaddis finished the night with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Gaddis, who is the nation's leader in assists per game and assist to turnover ratio was a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc and 6-6 from the charity stripe. "The coaching staff had us prepared for this game, and we had a couple of days of great practice, and we were eager to get back onto the court" said Gaddis.
Junior guard Luke Williams was given the daunting task of mirroring Point Park's sensational Jer'ah'me Williams, who's averaging over 20 points per game. "The Williams/Williams match-up was one that we knew would dictate the flow and pace of the game," said Fayette Coach Mark John. "He continues to watch the other team's biggest offensive threat night in and night out. It says a lot about who he is and what kind of fortitude he has," added John.
Ball movement and balanced scoring cleared the way offensively for the Roaring Lions, as they had 5 different players hit the double digit mark. Cunningham led the paced Fayette with 25 points, going 11-15 from the field. Six of Bronder's 22 points came from a perfect 2-2 from behind the arc. McKenna posted his usual double-double, puring in 21 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
Defensively, the Lions found a way to make key stops and keep Point Park from making big runs. Back and forth went the pace, as Fayette pushed the ball ahead of the break for ----- fast break points.
Bronder played one of his best games in a Roaring Lion uniform, pouring in 26 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Matched up against Point Park's Alan Heter, Bronder performed like an All-American. Heter finished with 20 points, 6 behind game leader Point Park's Williams.
Fayette's bench played an extended role and looked more like another set of starters when they came into the action. Sophomore guards Tony Bristol and Dominick Jackson, the Roaring Lions one/two punch combination jumped in, making an immediate impact. Combining for 17 points, 7 assists, and 7 steals, Jackson and Bristol put the Pioneers on their heels on both sides of the timeline. "Dominick and Tony continue to compliment each other well, and a game like tonight's was a tailor-made game for their style of play," said John.
Sophomore forward Sean Smoggie entered the game, quickly nailed a long 3-pointer from the corner, made a reverse layup, and grabbed 2 rebounds in the first half of action. Smoggie also came up with a huge second half basket while drawing a foul in the process. "Sean played a heck of a game tonight. His efforts and determination between the lines in practice and after practice payed huge dividends for him tonight," complimented John.
The Roaring Lions shot an outstanding 60% from the field and 52% from behind the 3-point line. However, the USCAA's #2 free throw shooting team couldn't muster more than a 67% performance from the line.
The Pioneers are a member of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) DII.
Fayette is back in action this weekend, as they travel to Penn State Schuylkill on Saturday and Penn State Brandywine on Sunday.