Lions Claim Hosting Rights to AMCC Tournament as Behrend Outlasts Altoona

The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team secured the No. 1 seed in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) on Saturday with a win in the regular-season finale over Penn State Altoona. Behrend defeated Altoona 63-60 to earn the title of Regular-Season Champions as well as the right to host the conference tournament next weekend.

Lions Claim Hosting Rights to AMCC Tournament as Behrend Outlasts Altoona
February 19, 2022

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team secured the No. 1 seed in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) on Saturday with a win in the regular-season finale over Penn State Altoona. Behrend defeated Altoona 63-60 to earn the title of Regular-Season Champions as well as the right to host the conference tournament next weekend.

Final Score: Penn State Behrend 63, Penn State Altoona 60

Records: Penn State Behrend 18-6 (13-3 AMCC), Penn State Altoona 18-5 (13-3 AMCC)

Key Moments:

* Kenny Fukon (Cranberry Twp., PA/Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic) drilled a three with 35 seconds left and the lead never changed as it proved to be the game-winning bucket
* The Altoona Lions had possession of the ball with 0.3 seconds left with a chance to tie, but couldn't get a shot off in time
* With Behrend up by three and seven seconds showing on the clock, Fukon came away with a steal to ultimately seal the victory following two makes from the free-throw line
* At the conclusion of the game, the score was tied a total of nine times and saw 18 different lead changes
* Fukon led the Behrend Lions with 16 points as well as a team-high eight rebounds and five assists
* Matt Niland (Erie, PA/Fairview) finished with 14 points, having four of his five successful field-goals made from long distance
* Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park) came off the bench for 10 points and collected five boards
* Prior to the game, seniors Kenny Fukon, John Fukon (Cranberry Twp., PA/Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic), Jacob Zeis (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) and PJ Gourley (Butler, PA/Knoch) were recognized as they helped add another accolade and team accomplishment to their successful career with the program

Up Next:

* Behrend will host the winner of Tuesday's opening round matchup between Medaille and Pitt-Greensburg next weekend
* The semifinals begin on Friday in the Junker Center with the Lions hosting the winner of the aforementioned matchup at 6 p.m.