ALLIANCE, Pa - The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team fell to Mount Union Tuesday night in non-conference action, 80-74.
The Lions (2-1) had three players in double-digits for the second time this season. Justin Gorny (South Park, PA/South Park) led all scorers shooting six-of-nine from the field for 20 points and also hauled down six rebounds. Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) dropped 18 points while also picking up two assists and two boards. Malike Brinson (Erie, PA/Collegiate Academy) tallied a career-high 14 points while also adding two rebounds.
Behrend trailed at the break for the first time all season after the Raiders (2-1) went on a 13-7 run in the final five minutes with the help of Nathan Bower-Malone and JJ Kukura, who combined for 20 of the team's 46 first half points. The Lions shot 56.6 percent from the field in the first half compared to Mount Union shooting 59.4 percent from the floor and 72.7 percent beyond the arc, edging Behrend 46-40 at half.
After trading a few baskets for most of the second half, Wanker converted on a layup at the 10:49 mark to tie the game at 55-all. Mount Union answered by going on a 12-4 run the next five minutes of the game to push the lead to eight with just over five minutes remaining.
Late three pointers from Brinson, Kenny Fukon (Cranberry Twp, PA/Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic), and Gorny and perfect second-half free throw shooting was only good enough to bring the game within four points, ending the final at 80-74.
The Lions finished the game going 25-for-47 from the floor and shot 39.1 percent from three-point range. Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) dished out a career-high 11 assists in the game while also earning three steals and a rebound. Freshmen Fukon and Kyle Reese (Allison Park, PA/Hampton) each tabbed career highs with nine and seven points respectively.
Behrend will be back in action November 25 to take on Allegheny. This will be the final non-conference game for the Lions before they open AMCC play. Game time is set for 3 p.m.