Penn State DuBois men’s basketball opens season with back to back wins

DuBOIS, Pa. - The Penn State DuBois men's basketball team started the 2024-25 season on a high note, winning its first two games over the weekend in strong showings against Bucks County Community College and Central Penn at Penn State Mont Alto.

On Friday evening, Penn State DuBois took on Bucks County Community College in a fast-paced battle, ultimately coming out on top with a 111-97 victory. Sophomore guard Kaleb Pryor led the charge with an impressive 31 points, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 14-for-17 from the free-throw line. Forward Beau Verdill posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard Niare Poplar added 19 points, including four 3-pointers on six attempts. Senior forward Ashton Fortson contributed a well-rounded performance with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists, showcasing his ability to impact both ends of the court. Defensively, Penn State DuBois collected 50 rebounds, 13 steals and four blocks, led by Verdill and Pryor with two steals each. Their tenacity on the boards helped generate 15 second-chance points, as DuBois took advantage of Bucks County's shooting struggles from deep, where the opposition managed just 27.8% from beyond the arc.

In its second game on Saturday, Penn State DuBois faced a tougher challenge against Central Penn but managed to secure a hard-fought 90-85 win. Verdill again was pivotal, scoring 27 points on an efficient 12-for-17 shooting performance and adding four rebounds and six steals. Pryor continued his standout play with 22 points, six assists and four steals. Junior Kyron Harbin came off the bench to make a big impact, notching a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds in just 24 minutes on the floor. Poplar contributed 10 points, and guard James Pearson added four points and three steals. Penn State DuBois shot an impressive 62.1% in the second half, coming back from a three-point halftime deficit and capitalizing on Central Penn's 29 turnovers. The team showed defensive grit with 17 steals, using its high-pressure defense to generate 28 points off turnovers.

With a 2-0 record, the men's team now looks ahead to its home matchup against Grove City at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, followed by two road games against Westminster at 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 and Pitt Bradford at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16.

The Penn State DuBois women's basketball team will open its season against Apprentice at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Penn State Beaver, then play at Clarion University at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16. The Lady Lions will open their home season when they face Jamestown CC at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20.

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