Hot Shooting Gives Lions Victory

BRADFORD, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team defeated Pitt-Bradford 68-51 on Wednesday evening in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action.

The Lions (12-10, 11-5 AMCC) shot 55.3 percent from the floor and connected on five threes en route to earning the season sweep of the Panthers.

Throughout most of the first half, Behrend and Pitt-Bradford traded baskets.  By the halfway mark, neither team was able to gain much of an advantage.  Leading by one with 6:30 to play, the Lions finally gained control.  Russ Conley (Transfer, PA/Reynolds) hit two layups with Evan Eaton (Mt. Lebanon, PA/Mt. Lebanon) cashing in two from the free throw line to push the lead to seven.

After Thomas Dekmar made a layup of his own, Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) nailed a three.  Adam Palic (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) made five straight points with Chirs Rader (Wexford, PA/Pine-Richland) hitting a three and suddenly Behrend had a 38-24 halftime lead.  The Lions ended the half on a 17-4 run.

With the second half underway, the two teams once again went back and forth.  Behrend was able to rely on a strong defensive effort to keep the lead at double digits.  At the 7:36 mark, Conley netted five consecutive points followed by another DeLisio three to extend the lead and secure their third straight win.

Conley tied a season-high with 27 points and 10 rebounds.  Keith Wallace (Washington, DC/Central Tech - Erie) contributed 11.  Nick Thorsen (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) matched a career-high with six assists.

The Lions will be back on the hardwood on Saturday at Franciscan.  Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.