Santiago’s 28 Leads Lions’ Strong Start, but Mont Alto Edges Shenango 90-83 at Buhl Club
Penn State Shenango Men's Basketball put together a high-energy performance at the Buhl Club on Saturday afternoon, jumping out in front early and taking a 45-41 lead into halftime, but Penn State Mont Alto rallied in the second half to hand the Lions a tough 90-83 decision. Shenango had the building buzzing with pace, paint touches, and active hands on defense, and the Lions were within a possession late before Mont Alto sealed it at the line.
Shenango's first half was fueled by Izzy Santiago, who scored from everywhere—finishing through contact, stepping into jumpers, and drilling two first-half threes as the Lions consistently answered Mont Alto's pushes. Kevon Washington added early shot-making and a key steal, while Darius Williams kept the offense organized with crisp distribution. The Lions also got a huge spark from Jordan Dotson off the bench—finishing a layup, knocking down a three, and attacking gaps to keep Shenango's lead steady as the half wound down.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle. Shenango stretched the margin to 68-60 midway through the period behind Washington's scoring burst and continued pressure on the perimeter. Dotson stayed aggressive with another finish and a trip to the line, and Williams' playmaking (nine assists) helped generate quality looks even as the pace intensified. Mont Alto answered with timely threes and second-chance opportunities, using rebounds and efficient finishing to chip away until the game tightened in the final minutes.
Down the stretch, Shenango kept fighting—getting stops, battling on the glass, and giving itself chances—but Mont Alto's late free throws and a few key finishes in the paint were the difference. Still, the Lions showed a lot to build on: balanced scoring, strong energy, and stretches where the offense flowed with purpose and confidence.
Shenango leaders:
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Izzy Santiago: 28 points (11-18 FG), 5 rebounds
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Kevon Washington: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
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Darius Williams: 5 points, 9 assists, 4 steals
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Jordan Dotson: 13 points (5-9 FG)