HAMBURG, Ny. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team took down Hilbert in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) game of the week, defeating the Hawks 77-64.
The Lions (12-2, 6-0) scored a season-high 49 points in the first half, shooting 62.1 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from behind the arc to keep the Hawks (8-5, 5-2 AMCC) from coming within striking range.
Four Behrend players notched double-figure scoring performances, marking the fourth time, and the fourth win, that this has happened this season. Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) set the charge for the Lions, scoring a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting while also pulling down seven boards and two blocks.
Justin Gorny (South Park, PA/South Park) buried 6-of-9 for 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Junior guard Malike Brinson (Erie, PA/Central Tech) was just one rebound shy of recording his first career double-double, notching career-highs in points and rebounds, with 18 and nine, respectively.
Mike Fischer (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) contributed to the win by adding 14 points of his own. He was able to pull down four rebounds, dish out three assists, and tally two steals as well.
After back and forth buckets in the opening four minutes, the Lions broke out on a 13-3 run to open the lead, making the score 22-12. Behrend took advantage of this lead, and would never look back.
From the 9:40 minute mark, Behrend maintained a consistent 10-point advantage over the Hawks.
As the half closed out, Behrend's number one ranked scoring defense was able to hold Hilbert to shoot 38.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from long range, ending the score 49-31 in favor of the Lions.
At the 18:27 mark in the second, a Gorny three was able to extend the lead to 22-points.
From there, the Hawks continued to battle throughout the remainder of the game, outscoring the Lions 33-28 in the second.
At the conclusion of the contest, Behrend shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 45.0 percent from three-point land, while Hilbert improved from the first to shoot 42.6 percent from the field. The Lions edged the Hawks 18-12 in rebounds throughout the match.
Behrend is back in action when they face-off against Penn State Altoona this Saturday at Junker Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.