Men’s Basketball Looking to Repeat as Conference Champs

#1 East Seed Penn State York took down #2 West Seed Penn State Greater Allegheny, 67–57, in a Pennsylvania State University Athletics Conference (PSUAC) Semifinal at home on Friday, Feb. 28. York moves on to the PSUAC Final Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., played at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.

Greater Allegheny came out hot, making four of their first five shots, as the game looked to be an offensive barnburner. Instead, York's defense clamped down, forcing a number of shot clock violations and rushed shots by the visitors. Slowing Greater Allegheny's shooters, York took the lead with just under three minutes to play in the first half. While the game remained close until the last minute, York would not trail again.

Penn State York was led by junior Michael Coleman (York, Pa. / Northeastern), with a full line of 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Senior Richard Grant (York, Pa. / Susquehannock) added 17 points and 7 rebounds, while sophomore Johnathon Gillespie (Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Mennonite) scored 13 points, including a game-sealing dunk off a turnover. Freshman Deriq Brown (New Oxford, Pa. / New Oxford) contributed 9 points and 9 rebounds.

As a team, York outrebounded Greater Allegheny, 35–25, but only made 13 of 23 foul shots, helping keep the visitors in the game.

Penn State York's opponent in the final will be #1 West Seed Penn State Mont Alto, after they defeated #2 East Seed and defending national champion Penn State Wilkes-Barre by one point. York defeated Mont Alto in their lone regular season meeting, 66–58, at home on Jan. 25.

York defeated Wilkes-Barre by one point in last year's PSUAC Final before falling in the United States Collegiate Athletics Association (USCAA) national tournament semifinals, while Wilkes-Barre rode an at-large bid to the first men's basketball national championship for a PSUAC program.

The PSUAC champion will receive an automatic bid to the USCAA tournament.