Penn College hoop teams off to great UE start

In a light week of action because of the Thanksgiving break, the Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s and women’s basketball teams opened United East Conference play with victories.

Men’s Basketball

Fresh off a week during which he was honored as the UE Offensive Player of the Week, senior Livingston Cross of Union, New Jersey, turned in another dominate performance on Tuesday with 18 points and 21 rebounds in a 73-55 home win that was the Wildcats’ first ever in three encounters against Penn State Brandywine.

Trailing by two at halftime, Penn College outscored Brandywine 42-22 in the second half. For the game, the Wildcats outscored their opponents 42-14 in points in the paint. The double-double was Cross’ fifth in a row and his sixth in seven games. His 21 boards were a career best, with 15 coming on the defensive end. Earlier this season, Cross was named the UE Defensive Player of the Week.

UE standings through Sunday: Penn College 1-0, Keystone College 1-0, Lancaster Bible College 1-0, Notre Dame (Md.) University 1-0, Bryn Athyn1-0, Rosemont College 1-0, St. Mary’s (Md.) 1-0, Valley Forge 0-0, Cairn University 0-0, Gallaudet University 0-1, Penn State Harrisburg 0-1, Penn State Brandywine 0-1, St. Elizabeth University 0-1, Wilson College 0-1, Penn State Abington 0-1, Penn State Berks 0-1.

Schedule/Record/Series History

Overall: 3-4

UE: 1-0

Tuesday, Nov. 26 —host Penn State Brandywine (UE), W, 73-55

Tuesday, Dec. 3 —host Alfred University, 7 p.m. (Alfred leads 2-0)

Saturday, Dec. 7 —host Gallaudet University (UE), 3 p.m. (series tied 8-8)

Women’s Basketball

With just one win in 17 previous outings against Lancaster Bible College, history was not on the side of the Wildcats going into Tuesday’s home game. But freshman Gigi Parlante of Williamsport continued her stellar start in a Penn College uniform with a team-leading 18-point, 15-rebound performance that helped produce a 62-55 upset victory.

The Wildcats outshot LBC from the field 42% to 38%, from 3-point range 40% to 31.6%, and most importantly from the foul line 76% (16 of 21) to 38.5% (5 of 13).

UE standings through Sunday: Penn State Harrisburg 2-0, Penn College 1-0, Bryn Athyn 1-0, Penn State Abington 1-0, St. Elizabeth University 1-0, Wilson College 1-0, St. Mary’s (Md.) 1-0, Valley Forge 1-0,  Penn State Berks 0-0, Cairn University 0-1, Gallaudet University 0-1, Keystone College 0-1, Cedar Crest College 0-1, Penn State Brandywine 0-1, Notre Dame (Md.) University 0-1, Rosemont College 0-1, Lancaster Bible College 0-2.

Schedule/Record/Series History

Overall: 2-6

UE: 1-0

Tuesday, Nov. 26 —host Lancaster Bible College (UE), W, 62-55

Saturday, Dec. 7 —host Gallaudet University (UE), 1 p.m. (Gallaudet leads 10-6)

Friday, Dec. 13 —at Penn State Berks (UE), 5 p.m. (Penn College leads 9-8)

Monday, Dec. 16 — host Centenary University, 6 p.m. (Centenary leads 1-0)

Tuesday, Dec. 17 — host Alfred State, 6 p.m. (Alfred State leads 1-0)

Wrestling

Schedule/Record

Overall record: 1-0

AMCC record: 1-0

Saturday, Dec. 7 — at Elizabethtown Blue Jay Classic, 9:30 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 20 — at Wilkes Open, 9:30 a.m.

UEC All-Sportsmanship Team Honoree

The United East All-Sportsmanship Team recognizes student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. Student-athletes selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. Everyone was chosen by their coach as a representative who embodies the Division III spirit. The Penn College fall sports athlete honored this past week was:

Women’s Volleyball: Jo Hess (Jersey Shore).

For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website.

For more about the United East, visit the conference website.