DiRienzo’s 30-Point Performance Extends Lions Winning Streak To Six Straight

CRESSON, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team extended its winning streak to six games with an 86-75 victory at Mount Aloysius Saturday afternoon.

Score: Penn State Behrend 86, Mount Aloysius 75

Records: Penn State Behrend (13-5, 8-3 AMCC), Mount Aloysius (5-13, 3-8 AMCC)

Key Moments:

* The Lions controlled a 19-8 lead with 12 minutes left in the first period
* Behrend went into halftime with a 38-25 advantage
* However, the Mounties were able to chip away at the Lions lead and would eventually take a 54-51 lead with 9:48 left into the contest
* The Lions would storm back from a six-point deficit (57-51), regaining the lead with 6:29 remaining (61-60)
* Behrend would not give the lead back to Mount Aloysius, securing its 13^th overall and eighth conference win
* Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park) recorded his second 30-point game of the season, finishing with a game-high 30 points and six rebounds
* Three other Lions tallied double-figures
* Sophomore Matthew McDonough (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) notched 18 points on 7-10 shooting, while Matt Niland (Erie, PA/Fairview) scored a season-high 14 points and Mason Blankenberg (Ontario, NY/Wayne) also added 14 points off the bench
* Niland dished out five assists, while Blankenberg pulled down three rebounds
* On the glass, RJ Marsh (State College, PA/Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and Michael Sopko (New Castle, PA/Neshannock) collected five rebounds
* Three Mounties scored in double-figures, led by Will Hagwood's 18 points. De'Von Haggans registered 17 points, while Ronnie McClain finished with 15 points off the bench
* As a team, Behrend delivered 16 points off 13 Mount Aloysius turnovers and outrebounded the Mounties (28-24)

Up Next:

* The Lions return home for a pivotal conference contest against La Roche on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.