Monaca, PA - One of the keys to Geneva′s men′s basketball success coming into the 2011-12 season is the emergence and improved offensive abilities of junior Matt Lorello. On Tuesday night, Lorello put those abilities on full display but it turned out to be not quite enough for the Golden Tornadoes in an 89-83 loss to Penn State Beaver. The loss was Geneva′s third straight and dropped its overall record to 1-3 with only the third ever loss to Penn State Beaver.
Geneva′s offensive attack was far from balanced as only two players reached double figures. Trevor York posted ten points off the bench but it was the career night of Matt Lorello that nearly stole the show. Lorello, who scored 65 points all of last year, posted 37 on Tuesday night on 15-19 shooting from the field. He also pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Golden Tornadoes.
Geneva took a 47-41 lead into halftime thanks to 24 first half points from Lorello. The Lions came all the way back to take a lead of as many as ten points. Geneva′s final lead came following a pair of Lorello free throws at the 8:48 mark that gave the Golden Tornadoes a 67-65 lead. A Tony Houghton three-point field goal at the 8:33 mark gave Penn State a lead it would never give back. Houghton was one of four Lions to score in double figures led by Darius Price′s 20 points on 7-13 shooting from the field.
Geneva shot a sizzling 59% from the field for the game but was just 3-12 from three-point range. The difference in the game was Geneva′s inability to take care of the basketball. The Golden Tornadoes turned the ball over 28 times and Penn State was able to take advantage with some easy transition baskets.
The Golden Tornadoes return home on Saturday to take on LaRoche College in a 3 pm tip-off. Geneva will play its first official Presidents′ Athletic Conference game next Wednesday when it hosts Thomas More College.
Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
