Lions defeat Hilbert, 60-57

Lions defeat Hilbert, 60-57

HAMBURG, NY – With three players in foul trouble, Penn State Behrend's bench dropped 18 points to secure a three-point victory over Hilbert in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play, Wednesday, 60-57.

Chris Saltzman was one rebound away from a double-double finishing the game with 18 points and nine boards leading the way for the Lions (7-0, 3-0 AMCC).  Shane Skelly played big posting double-digits for the first time in his young career. The freshmen recorded 10 points and added three rebounds while Justin Kovac dished out five assists to go along with nine points and two steals.

The Hawks (3-5, 0-2 AMCC) were led by Chris Parrot and CJ Hodge. Parrot shot 50 percent from long-range contributing 18 points and eight rebounds while Hodge recorded 12 points, four assists and two steals.

Behrend took a quick 11-5 lead early in the first half thanks to a triple by Adam Palcic at the 16:17 mark. A pair of 3-pointers by Hilbert's Parrot and Keon Rembert knotted the game at 11-all. The tie was not broken for nearly four minutes. Chris Tamasy connected from long distance to give the Lions a three-point edge, 14-11. Skelly took over for the remainder of the half hitting two field goals and shooting 4-for-4 at the charity-stripe. Despite Russ Conley and Kovac being in foul trouble, Behrend held a 32-29 lead at half.

A Saltzman jumper gave the Lions a 12-point lead, their largest of the night with just under 10 minutes to go in regulation, 52-40. Hilbert was able to scratch their way back into the game thanks to a 17-7 run. Parrot and Hodge scored 12 of the Hawk's final points to leave Hilbert down two with 37 seconds left to go, 59-57. Hodge missed the following jumper that would have tied game for the Hawks. Nick Dvorsky grabbed the missed attempt and was sent to the charity stripe to shoot the 1-and-1. Dvorsky netted 1-of-2 at the line and sealed the deal for the Lions,60-57.

The men shot above 50 percent from behind-the-arc for the second consecutive game, as the Lions advance to 3-0 in conference play.

Behrend returns to action against at LaRoche on Saturday.Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.