Lions Grind Out Victory Over La Roche

PITTSBURGH, Pa – Shane Skelly (Westlake, OH/Westlake) earned a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds and the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team used a rock-solid defensive effort in a 60-44 victory over La Roche on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions, who have now won seven in a row, opened up a quick 9-2 lead and never trailed before settling in to a 27-17 advantage at the break. In that opening session, Behrend (12-2, 6-1 AMCC) held the Red Hawks to just 25 percent shooting including 1-of-10 from three in the teams' first meeting since last season's AMCC Tournament semifinals.

The Lions' lead fluxuated through the second half, but the game was never truly in doubt. With 17:30 left in the contest, Casey Courneen (Sewickley, PA/Quaker Valley) scored five quick points and Zane Hackett (Brookville, PA/Brookville) made a layup to give Behrend its largest lead of the game at 38-22.

Hackett finished with 12 points, including eight in the second half.

La Roche (9-6, 5-3 AMCC) bounced back in the form of back to back Torin Smith three-pointers and cut the margin to eight, 42-34, with 10:34 remaining.

Thereafter, the Lions tightened up defensively, going on an extended 8-4 run. In all, La Roche scored just 10 points over the final 10:44 of the game. Behrend held the Red Hawks to just 29 percent shooting for the game.

The dagger came by way of a Courneen three with 4:24 left to put the Lions ahead 53-38. He finished with 11 points on the afternoon.

For Skelly, it was the eighth straight game in which the senior has scored in double figures.

Keith Wallace (Erie, PA/Central Tech) pulled down 10 boards for Behrend, who out rebounded La Roche 43-31.

The Red Hawks left some points on the floor, as they were just 5-13 from the foul line. The Lions meanwhile, were solid as usual (13-16) from the charity stripe.

For Behrend, it will be a quick turnaround. The Lions will travel to take on Hilbert on Monday, January 20, at 6 p.m.