Pullium's Tip-In at the Buzzer Lifts Lions Over St. John Fisher

ROCHESTER, NY - Malquan Pullium's (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) tip-in at the buzzer lifted the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team over host-team St. John Fisher in the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa Tournament.

The 72-71 victory makes it eight straight wins for the Lions (9-2). Behrend took a one-point lead into the half and never lead by more than seven points during the final 20 minutes of action. The Cardinals (5-4) took their only lead of the second half with just 1:10 remaining in the game, going up 70-68. Pullium qickly answered with a layup, tying the game again at 70-all.

The game remained the same until the Lions sent St. John Fisher's Michael D'Amico to the line with just eight seconds remaining. After missing the first free throw, D'Amico drained the second, giving his team a one point lead.

Behrend imbounded the ball and sophmore gaurd Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) quickly made his way down the floor where he found a wide-open Justin Gorny (South Park, Pa/South Park) in the corner. Gorny's shot missed but Pullium found the rebound and was able to get a clean tip-in for the win at the buzzer.

The Lions and Cardinals played an even 40 minutes that included four ties and 12 lead changes. Behrend shot 44.4 percent from the floor and went 8-for-11 from the free-throw line compared to St. John Fisher's 54.3 percent from the field and going 15-for-22 from the charity stripe.

Dan Wanker (South Park, PA/South Park) led all scores with 17 points after shooting 7-for-13 including three three-pointers. He also pulled down six rebounds.

Connor McLaughlin (Ashtabula, OH/Edgewood) shot 60 percent and added 16 points off the bench for the Lions. Gorny finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Pullium finished with 14 after shooting 50 percent from the field.

Niland led the team with eight assists and added seven points to Behrend's effort.

The Lions will be back in action on January 4 when they take on Medaille. Game time is set for 8 p.m.