Wolfpack Claims 98-88 Win at Penn Highlands

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Paced by five players with 10+ points and a pair of double-doubles, the Westmoreland County Community College men's basketball team used a total team effort to pull out a 98-88 victory at Penn Highlands Friday night.

The Wolfpack (2-5) used a hot-shooting first half from Mohamed Conde to take a 48-38 lead into halftime. Conde drained four three-pointers and scored 11 by the break, while Brandon Baird chipped in nine to pace the Westmoreland attack.

Joel LoNigro drilled a three to open the second half and Westmoreland built as large as a 16-point lead in the second half. The Black Bears used a full-court press to change the momentum and chipped away at their deficit until they were within eight at 91-83 with two minutes to play. That was as close as Penn Highlands would get, as the Wolfpack broke the press to lead to quick buckets by Baird and Tahiyr Vines to swell the lead back into double figures and they went on to finish the win.

The balanced scoring attack was led by Jakir Hampton with 20 points and he just missed a double-double by making nine steals. Conde finished with 15 points and Noah Raynor-Savage totaled 15 points and 11 assists. The big nights were rounded out by the inside tandem of Baird with 13 points and Vines, who had 10 markers and 15 boards.

The Wolfpack and Black Bears will face off again on Sunday in Youngwood in a 1 pm tip-off.