DeLisio Leads Lions to Victory

ERIE, Pa. - Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) netted a career-high 17 points including eight free throws to lead the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team to a 60-48 victory over Pitt-Bradford in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Wednesday night.

The Lions (6-8, 5-3 AMCC) went went 11-13 from the charity stripe in the final 2:30 to secure their fifth AMCC win of the season.

Behrend came out strong in the opening stanza, shooting 46.7 percent from the floor.  The Lions used a 12-2 run over an eight minute span to take control early.  After a Russ Conley (Transfer, PA/Reynolds) dunk, Nick Thorsen (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) capped off the run with a jumper to put Behrend up 22-11.  Over the final six minutes, the two teams would trade baskets with the Lions holding a 33-22 halftime advantage.

With the second half underway, DeLisio caught fire.   The freshman guard scored four straight points, helping Behrend hold onto the lead.  After Tyler Ferguson hit a layup to cut the deficit to six, Thorsen and Adam Palcic (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) connected on back to back threes.

Now up 12, DeLisio, Thorsen, and Pat St. Andrews (State College, PA/State College) hit 11 free throws, including 7-8 to finish the game.

Like DeLisio, Thorsen and Conley also scored in double figures with both contributing 10.  The Lions held a distinct 34-26 rebounding advantage with Conley pulling down nine.

Behrend will hit the court on Saturday for an AMCC contest against Franciscan.  Tip-off at the Junker Center is set for 2 p.m.