Pioneers move to 4-0 with victories on Friday and Saturday nights

PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University men's basketball continued its hot start improve to 4-0 on the year with wins on Friday and Saturday night. The Pioneers (4-0) beat Fisher (Mass.) on Friday, 114-75, and then won 94-67 over PSU-Schuylkill for a pair of NAIA wins.

Point Park had a 12-point lead over Fisher (0-1) at the half, 56-44. The Pioneers made it a 39-point victory by putting up another 58 points after halftime.

Jo Valrie powered the win with 27 points and 18 rebounds while Jalen Stamps broke out for 24 points. Jamisen Smith tallied 15 points while Nathaniel Van scored 10 to put four starters in double figures. 

Nazareth Fisher needed only 16 minutes off the bench to score 16 points and grab nine rebounds. The 6-10 center was 8 for 8 from the field. 

Valrie was also hot shooting making 9 of 16 overall and 3 for 6 from deep. The Pioneers were 12 for 32 from the arc. Stamps was 4 for 8 from distance and also grabbed five assists and four steals. 

Fisher was held to 33-percent shooting for the game, which dipped to 26 percent in the second half (10 for 38). Point Park continued to dominate the rebounds, 68-37. Fisher had four players in double digits, but it was not enough to keep up. 

The Pioneers stayed on that pace Saturday night with the 94-67 win over PSU-Schuylkill. The game was put out of reach by halftime with Point Park up, 52-20. The Lions were held to 21-percent shooting (8 for 38) in the first half and 34 percent for the game. 

Nathaniel Van led Point Park with 15 points, most of which came in the first half. Jalen Stamps scored 11 points with all of that the first half as well. Jamisen Smith added 11 as a third starter in double digits. 

Jags Jhawar was a force down low as the 7-2 center totaled 16 rebounds and blocked five shots. He also scored eight points -- all in the first half -- on 2 for 3 from the floor and 2 for 3 at the line. 

The second half Point Park's bench go to work on its way to 41 points on the night. Denaez Hargett led that effort with 13 points, six boards and three steals. Jordan Stowe came in with 12 points on 5 for 8 from the field and making both of his trey attempts. Nazareth Fisher pulled in 10 rebounds along with seven points.

Point Park finishes off its five-game homstand to start the year on Monday at 1:00 p.m. versus Michigan-Dearborn. The Wolverines and PSU-Schuylkill are in a three-team classic hosted by Point Park. Michigan-Dearborn picked up a 100-87 win over PSU-Schuylkill on Sunday in its season opener.