BUFFALO, Ny. – Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) drained a three pointer with five seconds left in the game to give the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team a 77-76 victory over Medaille on Wednesday night.
As time was winding down, Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) dribbled the ball down the court, and dished a pass to Wanker in the corner for an open three to give Behrend a one-point advantage, and the win.
Despite coming off a 14 day break, the Lions (10-2, 5-0 AMCC) did not skip a beat. Behrend dropped 46 second half points, shooting 15-of-27 from the field, to hand the Mavericks (5-7, 2-3 AMCC) its third conference loss on the year.
For the first time this season, all five Behrend starters recorded double digit scoring performances. Along with Wanker's 10 points and game-winning three-pointer, he also grabbed nine rebounds on the night.
Niland led the Lions with 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor, while also dishing out eight assists and two steals. Justin Gorny (South Park, PA/South Park) picked up his 10th double-digit scoring performance of the season after knocking down 3-of-4 three pointers and shooting 6-for-8 from the charity stripe, for a total of 17 points.
Junior guards Mike Fischer (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) and Malike Brinson (Eire, PA/Central Tech) each turned in solid performances for Behrend. Fischer buried 12 points and six boards, while Brinson tallied 12 points and three rebounds.
After trailing 38-31 at the end of the first half, the Lions jumped out to a quick 15-5 run in the opening 6:34 minutes of the second half to help give them a 47-43 lead.
Behrend continued to remain on top for the next seven minutes, until Justice Fagan converted on three free throws to give the Mavericks a 63-62 lead with 6:41 left.
Baskets were exchanged by both teams for the rest of the game. Niland laid in a shot to help Behrend regain a 71-70 lead, but as the game continued, Fagan made a three-pointer, making the score 75-73 in favor of Medaille.
After Wanker buried the corner three to seal the game, Fagan was able to get off a last second chance to win the game, but the ball rimmed out.
At the end of the game, oddly enough, both teams shot 27-for-54 from the field. However, the Lions outrebounded the Mavericks 31-25.
Behrend will look to remain undefeated in the conference when they battle against Pitt-Bradford on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
