MONACA, Pa. - The Apprentice School men's basketball team trailed at halftime but had a second half offensive explosion on the way to a 77-62 win over Penn State Greater Allegheny in the opening game of the PSU Beaver Tip-Off Classic.

The Nittany Lions led most of the first half and held a 28-20 advantage with 4:23 to play before halftime, but the Builders finished the half on a 9-3 run to trail by just two at the break.. Apprentice took the lead for good on a Donovan Means layup less than two minutes into the second half before leading by as many as 17 down the stretch on the way to the season-opening win.

The win marked the first win for head coach Michael Gainey, Jr. in his head coaching career.

Karree Smith led all scorers with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Adrion Wall put up 17, including three shots made from distance. Means finished the game with 10 points.

The Builders will look to continue the winning ways tomorrow at 3 p.m. against the host PSU Beaver.