ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team will open up their 2021-22 season on Wednesday at home with a non-conference tilt with the Thiel Tomcats at 7 p.m.
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Penn State Behrend News & Notes:
* This is the first official competition since the 2019-20 season where the Lions finished with a 20-9 overall record
* Behrend was selected to finish second in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) after a 15-5 conference record in two years ago
* Kenny Fukon (Cranberry Township, PA/Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic) was tabbed as the AMCC Preseason Player of the Year
* Fukon posted 467 points (3rd in AMCC) and averaged 16.7 points per game two years ago
* The Lions were the best defensive team in the AMCC in 2019-20 in points allowed per game (65.0)
* Head coach Dave Niland is entering his 27th year and has compiled a record of 515-207
Thiel News & Notes:
* The Tomcats are coming off a 4-7 overall record after playing a condensed conference schedule in 2020-21
* Thiel finished sixth in the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) and upset No. 3 Washington and Jefferson in the opening round of the conference tournament
* The Tomcats were eventually eliminated from the PAC postseason by eventual champions, Westminster
* Christian Devin is the leading scorer among returners after averaging 10.0 points per game last year
Series History:
* The Behrend Lions hold the advantage with a record of 31-18 against Thiel
* The Lions are currently on a three-game win streak when facing the Tomcats
* Last matchup saw Behrend defeat Thiel, 94-73 on November 12, 2019
