Penn College Men Reach PSUAC Basketball Semifinals

Vol. 8, No. 28 (Through Sunday, Feb. 21)

Penn College Wildcat Tales The phrase, "no rest for the weary," especially applies to the Pennsylvania College of Technology men's basketball team as it continues its quest for a Penn State University Athletic Conference championship Monday.

On Sunday, the sixth-seeded Wildcats saw a 21-point second-half lead evaporate to just two points twice in the final 66 seconds before they rallied for an 87-82 win at No. 3 seed Penn State Schuylkill. At 7 p.m. Monday, they will be back on the court at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. It is the first time this decade Penn College has gone past the quarterfinals.

"We've got to get a good night's rest and come out and execute," coach Gene Bruno said shortly after Sunday's contest at Schuylkill Haven.

The Wildcats' task may be even more difficult if senior guard Joe Simon (Renovo), the college men's all-time leading scorer, is unable to play as the result of a nose injury suffered Sunday.

"That's real questionable (whether he can play). Even if we put a mask on him, I just don't know," Bruno said. "That's going to be a heck of a decision for me to make."

The Wildcats are 13-13 overall and 10-6 in all PSUAC games going against No. 2 seed Wilkes-Barre, which turned back No. 7 seed Penn State York, 53-49 in overtime Sunday. During the regular season, Penn College split with Penn State Wilkes-Barre, winning at home, 84-70, and losing at Wilkes-Barre, 71-69. Penn State Wilkes-Barre comes into the game 15-9 overall and 12-4 in conference play.

Men's Basketball Tied at the half Feb. 15 at Penn State Scranton, the Wildcats pulled away in the second half for an 81-67 win. Simon continued his late-season scoring spree with his second straight 27-point effort (he has scored 91 points in his last three games), while Leroy Joiner (Williamsport) added 25 points and Greg Solyak (Lancaster) 15 points.

Thursday at home against Penn State Beaver, Joiner poured in a personal season-high 30 points and added 11 rebounds, while Solyak scored 28 points in a 111-93 loss.

Sunday against Schuylkill, Nico Italiani (Easton) had 14 first-half points, including four 3-pointers, as the Wildcats built a 46-31 halftime lead. Joiner finished the game with 29 points, Solyak had 17 points and Noor Ford (Williamsport) had 16.

Women's Basketball Penn College outrebounded Penn State Scranton, 45-24, and got balanced scoring with four players in double figures in a 61-43 win Monday. Jess Hohman (South Williamsport) was the leading scorer with 14 points.

At home Thursday against Penn State Beaver, the Wildcats fell behind 44-18 at the half and couldn't recover in an 86-45 loss. Hohman led Penn College scorers with nine points. For the second year in a row, Penn College saw its season end in the PSUAC quarterfinals with a 69-46 loss at Penn State Brandywine on Sunday. Kierstin Steer scored 18 points.

"It's tough to win when you have 32 turnovers against any team, especially a quality team like Brandywine," third-year coach Alison Tagliaferri said afterward. "Unfortunately, we also haven't bought into the defensive mind-set that I have been preaching all season. We are a very young team with a lot of talent, we just need to realize that hard work and dedication are what takes talent to the next level."

Bowling In the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Championships on Wednesday, Penn College finished second in the Blue Division. David Florist (Horsham) had the high single game of the tournament with a 266.

Recent Results/Upcoming Games Men's Basketball Overall record: 13-13 PSUAC record: 11-5 (10-5 regular season)Monday, Feb. 15 at Penn State Scranton, W, 81-67 Thursday, Feb. 18 host Penn State Beaver, L, 111-93 Sunday, Feb. 21 PSUAC Elite 8 Playoffs at Penn State Schuylkill, W, 87-82 Monday, Feb. 22 PSUAC Final Four at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 7 p.m.

Women's Basketball Final overall record: 9-15 Final PSUAC record: 8-7 (8-6 regular season)Monday, Feb. 15 atPenn StateScranton, W, 61-43 Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Marywood University, canceled Thursday, Feb. 18 hostPenn StateBeaver, L, 86-45 Sunday, Feb. 21 PSUAC Elite 8 Playoffs atPenn StateBrandywine, L, 69-46]

ArcheryFriday-Sunday, Feb. 19-21 at World Archery Festival, Las Vegas, Nev. Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7 at U.S. Indoor Eastern Regionals, Harrisonburg, Va.

Men's Club Volleyball Overall record: 7-0Wednesday, Feb. 24 at Kutztown University, 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28 host Harrisburg Area Community College, 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6 at Messiah College Tournament, 8:30 a.m.

Coed Bowling Wednesday, Feb. 17 Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Tournament at Summit Lanes, Pocono Summit, PC No. 1 second in Blue Division, PC. No. 2 fourth in Blue Division, PC No. 3 fifth in Blue Division. Caitlin Wagner second in Gold Division. Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 20-21 PCAA Championships at Philipsburg, noon Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday

(Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site. For more information on the PSUAC, visit on the Web; more about the USCAA also is available online.)