BUFFALO, N.Y. – Zane Hackett (Brookville, PA/Brookville) and Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) combined to score 44 points as the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team defeated D'Youville 71-65 Thursday night.
Hackett scored above 20 points for the third time in four games and posted 22 points, six rebounds and four assists on 7-of-13 shooting. He also went 8-for-12 from the charity stripe. DeLisio made five three-pointers for the second straight game and finished with 22 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists.
Trailing by three with just under seven minutes left in the contest, DeLisio nailed a clutch shot from behind the arc that evened the score at 62 all. After being fouled, Jon Gemerek tacked on a free throw for D'Youville (5-12, 3-7 AMCC) to take a one point advantage with under six minutes to play.
Hackett shifted the momentum in Behrend's favor converting a critical layup and drawing a foul at the 5:56 mark. Hackett knocked down the free throw opportunity and gave the Lions a one-point lead.
Leading 67-65, Malquan Pullium (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) came up with perhaps the play of the game snatching a steal with 32 seconds left in regulation. DeLisio was intentionally fouled and drilled both free throw attempts to take a two possession lead with 26 seconds left. After a missed three-point chance by Matt Insley, DeLisio came up with the rebound and tacked on two more free throws after being fouled to seal the victory.
Pullium was impressive on the defensive end recording a career-high five steals in the game. He also finished with five points, three rebounds and two assists.
Wes Davic (Grafton, OH/Midview) continued his impressive string of double-doubles putting together 11 points and 15 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double.
The Lions attempted 25 free throws in the game and turned the ball over just six times. Behrend now has a four-game winning streak in the works and remain tied atop the AMCC standings with Pitt-Greensburg.
Behrend hosts La Roche on Saturday in another AMCC duel. Opening tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.