PHOENIXVILLE, Pa.- The men's basketball team hosted Penn State Mont Alto before the Thanksgiving break, Tuesday, November 25.  From the start the Patriots seemed to be playing a step behind and dropped their only game of the week, 70-94.

The Patriots got down early in the first half and struggled to overcome the margin.  The Lions went on a shooting spree, penetrating the gaps to shoot 50% from the paint and out-rebounded the Patriots 31-20.  The Patriots pressure defense gave little trouble to the Lion's offense, as Penn State found a way to get the ball up the court and put the Patriots on their heels.  Going into the break the men found themselves facing a 22-point deficit, 26-48.

After the break the Patriots showed a better performance, increasing their shooting percentage from 28% to 44%.  Valley Forge still couldn't develop an answer to their biggest problem, Lion's #5 Jeremiah Mitchell, who ended with 26 points and 15 rebounds.  The Patriots found themselves unable to make their way to the basketball, continually getting denied the layup and unable to grab the rebound for a second chance point.  The men started to find success once they passed the ball out and went for the jump shot.  Despite going basket for basket, the men dug such a deep hole in the first half that a victory seemed out of reach.  

Kevin Mack ended the night with 17 points and four steals while Stacy Thomas had 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Thorne McIntosh recorded 11 points while Joseph Taylor ended with 10.

The men take the weekend to rest before heading to the Gallaudet University Holiday Tournament, December 5-6.   The Patriots will first face Alfred University, Friday, December 5, at 8pm.

Go Patriots!