DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team won the 44th Annual Purple and Gold Tournament with a 77-70 victory over Defiance in the championship game on Saturday afternoon.
Score: Penn State Behrend 77, Defiance 70
Records: Penn State Behrend (10-1), Defiance (2-9)
Key Moments:
* Behrend scord identical points in the first round of the tournament with 77
* By halftime, four Behrend players were either one or two points away from double figures
* Behrend held a 36-35 halftime lead behind 53.6 percent shooting
* The Lions had a seven-point lead at the 16:09 mark of the second half, tying the largest lead from the first half
* Defiance grabbed its first lead of the game on the opening bucket of the second half
* Ten minutes later, the Hornets went ahead for the second time at 55-53 on free throws by Marrell Jordan
* A 9-0 run put Behrend ahead for good with 5:07 remaining
* The Lions held a 42-28 advantage on points in the paint
* Five players finished in double-figure points led by Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) with 18 points
* Sophomore guard Kenny Fukon (Cranberry Township, PA/Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic) had a career-high 15 points
* Senior guard Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) drained five triples for 16 points, while dishing out eight assists and grabbing six rebounds
Noteworthy:
* The Behrend Lions went undefeated in the month of December with a 7-0 record
* Niland was named the Tournament MVP while Justin Gorny (South Park, PA/South Park) was selected to the All-Tournament Team
Next Up
* The Lions return to action on Wednesday at Medaille. Game time is 6 p.m.