Penn State DuBois men's basketball has had a hard test in the conference so far this year. Tonight was no different as they hosted Penn State Mont Alto, but Coach Howard knew they needed something a little different. Coach Howards method tonight was to play a tempo that kept Mont Alto from playing a run and gun style of offense.
The plan seemed to be working on as DuBois worked the ball inside each possession instead of settling and rushing things. Dylan Huey (Punxsutawney, PA) started the game doing what he does, and that is making all of his shots. Even though well contested by Mon Alto's bigs, Huey found a way to the rim for a perfect 3 for 3 in the first half of play. Zack Dahlstrand (Erie, PA) and Cole Morris (Rimersburg, PA) were able to put up the first 4 points of the night for DuBois with 2 a piece from the free throw line. With one of Huey's field goals DuBois would take an early lead on their home court, 10-5.
DuBois then had to break the Mont Alto full court press, which led to some quick buckets for the visiting team, but Coach Howard called a needed timeout to get his squad calmed down, and back to sticking with the game plan. After a 10-0 run for Mont Alto, Tre'von Williams (Johnstown, PA) hit a jumper to start DuBois rolling again offensively. New addition Jonathan Turk (Waldorf, MD) was playing in only his second game with DuBois, and his first in front of the home crowd. Turk hit a 3-pointer to keep DuBois rising, and another field goal with 36 seconds left in the first to give DuBois the lead going into the locker room, 26-24.
Mont Alto came out of the break with a different mindset, and pushed themselves on a 13-0 run to start the back half of play. DuBois would answer quickly with their own 9-0 run, but Mont Alto brought the press back. DuBois controlled the ball better this time, and had a lot of fight in them. With plenty of time on the clock, Turk would hit a couple more 3-pointers to keep the lead from growing for Mont Alto.
Coach Howard's team kept pushing, but with a lot of whistles and chippy play, they were never able to get into an offensive rhythm in the last 6 minutes of the game, and Mont Alto would hang on for the win, 70-53.
DuBois will host Fayette on Tuesday as they are still looking for their first conference win of the season.
