Penn State DuBois basketball teams show grit during a challenging week

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DuBOIS, Pa. - In a busy week for both the men's and women's basketball teams at Penn State DuBois, the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions faced tough early season tests that served as both a challenge and learning opportunities for both teams.

Last week, the Lady Lions claimed a decisive victory at home against Villa Maria on Nov. 12 but fell short on the road against Clarion University on Nov. 16.

Penn State DuBois 65, Villa Maria 48

In their home opener at the PAW Center, the Lady Lions secured a commanding win over Villa Maria. Led by a dominant performance from Elizabeth Hungiville, who posted a double-double with 12 points and a remarkable 22 rebounds, DuBois controlled the game from start to finish.

Natalie Bowser contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, providing a strong presence in the paint. The Lady Lions out-rebounded Villa Maria 51-28, creating numerous second-chance opportunities. DuBois also showcased balanced scoring, with contributions from Frances Milliron (9 points) and Eden Wonderling (8 points).

Defensively, the Lady Lions forced 28 turnovers and held Villa Maria to just 28.1% shooting. Despite a fourth-quarter push by Villa Maria, DuBois' steady play secured the 17-point win.

Clarion 73, Penn State DuBois 45

On the road at NCAA Division II Clarion University, the Lady Lions faced a tough opponent. Despite a gritty effort, DuBois struggled to keep up with the Golden Eagles' high-paced offense and aggressive defense.

Frances Milliron led DuBois with 16 points, while Elizabeth Hungiville added 9 points and 12 rebounds. Natalie Bowser contributed 10 points, including a three-pointer, but the Lady Lions shot just 32.7% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc.

Clarion's Autumn Taylor was a standout, scoring 20 points with five three-pointers, while her team capitalized on turnovers, scoring 31 points off DuBois' miscues. Clarion's bench also provided a major boost, contributing 30 points to the Golden Eagles' victory.

On the men's side, the Nittany Lions faced a challenging week, dropping two road games against Westminster College and Pitt-Bradford. Despite spirited efforts, the team saw their record fall to 2-3 on the season.

Westminster 94, Penn State DuBois 83

In Wednesday's contest against Westminster, the Nittany Lions fought hard but ultimately fell 94-83. Kyron Harbin led the charge with 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Beau Verdill posted a team-high 21 points, shooting 7-for-15 from the field. The Lions shot an efficient 50% from the floor, but Westminster's hot shooting, including 59.3% from the field and 47.1% from beyond the arc, proved too much to overcome.

Pitt-Bradford 116, Penn State DuBois 90

The team continued to battle on Saturday at Pitt-Bradford, but defensive struggles and turnovers contributed to a 116-90 defeat. Ashton Fortson and Harbin each tallied 14 points, while Jadon Myers provided a spark off the bench with 11 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting night. The Lions' bench contributed 39 points, but Pitt-Bradford's depth shone as they racked up 63 points from their reserves.

Upcoming Schedule

The Lady Lions are set to host Jamestown Community College on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6:00 PM, followed by a conference matchup against Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m.

The Nittany Lions looks to bounce back as they travel to Edinboro for a non-conference game on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at noon. They'll return to their home court for a key Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) game against Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m.

For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.