ALFRED, NY – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team picked up their first victory of the season Friday night with a come-from-behind win against Alfred State, 71-67.
Four Lions (1-1) scored in double-digits to help propel their team to a comeback in the late minutes of the game. Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) drained a go-ahead three with 1:27 left to break the 65-all tie. He finished with a game-high 19 points including five three-pointers and six assists.
Malike Brinson (Erie, PA/Central Tech) added a spark in the offense, scoring 11 points off the bench. Malquan Pullium (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) added 13 points including a 7-for-8 performance from the free throw line and led Behrend with seven rebounds. Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) shot 50 percent from the field, draining 11 points.
In the first half, the Pioneers and Lions traded the lead three times each through the first 10 minutes. Alfred St. (0-2) built a 12-point lead at the 6:59 mark after going on a 9-0 run. A layup by Wanker followed by a Niland three-pointer put Behrend back within nine. The Pioneers responded quickly by going on a 7-0 run and building their largest lead of the evening at 16 points.
The first half ended with the Lions facing a double-digit deficit for the second time this season.
Behrend, however, wasted no time getting right back into the game. They started the second half on an 11-0 run, cutting the Alfred St. lead to 3. Brinson's three-pointer at the 11:07 mark gave the Lions their first lead of the half, making the score 48-47.
The lead, however, didn't last long. For the next six minutes the Pioneers outscored Behrend 16-6 to build a nine point lead with 4:57 left to play. Pullium, Wanker and Niland answered by combining for 11 points to take back the lead with just 1:58 to play.
Wade Franklin drained two free throws for Alfred St. to tie the game at 65-all before Niland's clutch three-pointer put the Lions ahead for good. Matt Colpoys (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) drained two free-throws down the stretch to seal the deal for Behrend.
The Lions will be back in action at home on Tuesday, November 22 when the take on Mount Union. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
