ERIE, Pa. –Chris Saltzman poured in 21 points to lead the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team over visiting Pitt-Bradford in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) play by a score of 82-71, Wednesday at the Junker Center.
Lions (19-3, 14-2 AMCC) shared the ball well, dishing out 14 assists including seven off the finger tips of Justin Kovac who also finished the game with ten points. Pat St. Andrews and Nick Dvorsky each had career highs. Andrews dropped 16 points on 3-for-5 shooting from behind-the-arc and 5-of-6 from the line while Dvorsky tallied 14 and five rebounds.
The Panthers (9-13, 7-8 AMCC) were led by Tyler Ferguson. The center played well throughout the game putting up 21 points and grabbing five boards. Joseph Coppola hit five triples to end with 19 points while the AMCC's third-leading scorer Dan Heisey netted 17.
Pitt-Bradford slowly watched a nine point lead slip away late in the first half, 30-21 (7:31). Saltzman began the surge with a couple layups and St. Andrews quickly followed with a triple that left the men down one, with 3:56 remaining (31-30). A minute later, to cap off the run, Nick Thorsen drilled a three to send the Lions into the locker room ahead, 39-33.
Behrend asserted its dominance in the second half gaining a 64-47 advantage off a back-door layup by Adam Palcic with eight minutes left to go. The Panthers tried to scratch their way back into it but couldn't muster up enough offense. Penn State Behrend held on to win, 82-71.
Come support seniors, Justin Kovac and Chris Saltzman for senior night. Behrend will host Franciscan, Saturday at 4 p.m.