Lions Edge Bobcats in Overtime

Lions Edge Bobcats in Overtime

GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team defeated Pitt-Greensburg 71-68 in overtime on Saturday afternoon in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action.

Four different Lions scored in double figures, helping Behrend earn their second straight AMCC win.

The Lions (4-1, 2-0 AMCC) came out slow, missing their first four shots.  Pat St. Andrews (State College, PA/State College) drained a three to finally get Behrend on the board at the 16:32 mark.  Pitt-Greensburg continued to keep the Lions in check, holding a lead for most of the first half.  Keith Wallace (Erie, PA/Central Tech) cashed in two free throws to give Behrend their first lead with less than nine minutes to play in the opening stanza.

The Lions lead would not last long though, the Bobcats answered with a 16-6 run over a five-minute span to take control.  Behrend came right back with a 9-2 run in the final 2:18 to cut the deficit to one at the break.

The second half saw much of the same action as the first with neither team leading by more than six.  With a one point lead and less than three minutes to play, Russ Conley (Transfer, PA/Reynolds) made two straight layups to give the Lions a 60-55 lead at the 1:41 mark.  After a Bobcats' layup, Behrend's lead was only three.   Following a Lions' turnover, Pitt-Greensburg had one last possession to force overtime.  With one second left, Brock Witkowski made a clutch three pointer to tie the contest.  Behrend's final attempt fell short, sending the game to overtime.

In the overtime session, the Lions scored five straight points to increase their lead to 65-60.  Behrend held the lead for the entire overtime with Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) making two free throws down the stretch to ice the game and give the Lions the thrilling victory.

Conley led all scorers with 23 points while pulling down eight rebounds.  Delisio chipped in 13 points with Adam Palcic (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) and Casey Courneen (Sewickley, PA/Quaker Valley) each adding 11.

Behrend will be back in action on Saturday to host Mt. Aloysius at 4 p.m.