Pitt-Greensburg Grinds Out 71-68 Win Over the Behrend Lions

The Behrend Lions lost to the Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats, 71-68, in the Junker Center on Saturday, December 13, in front of 621 fans.

The blue and white opened the contest with an 8-0 run indicating that it might be a long day for the Bobcats, however Behrend's 13-2 lead disappeared at the 10:19 mark and trailed Greensburg 18-15 until freshman guard Steve Piotrowicz (Erie/Cathedral Prep) bounced off a screen and drained a three-pointer to knot the game at 18 all with 9:41 to play.

Greensburg again scrambled for a 21-18 lead after Larry Bigante hit a three from the corner before Piotrowicz followed with another from long distance. Behrend would use his long distance shooting to rally 17-6, to open a 40-29 lead entering the break.

Saturday's second half was a complete flip-flop of the first twenty minutes as the Bobcats outscored the blue and white 42-28, while shooting 65% from the floor (17 of 26) in the second frame en route to the three-point win. With only 1:34 left to play in the game, Greensburg's Bigante hit a foul-line jumper to move the Bobcats in front 69-68. Behrend turned the ball over, and Greensburg made a couple free-throws to secure the win.

Chris Saltsman (Jefferson Hills/Central Catholic) led the Behrend Lions with 20 points on 8 x 17 from the floor, while Adam Kaiser (Erie/Cathedral Prep) and Piotrowicz chipped in 13 and 12 respectively. Pitt-Greensburg was led by Daniel Waajid's twenty-two point, nine rebound effort.

Entering the holiday break Behrend's record now stands at 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the AMCC, while Pitt-Greensburg moves to 2-6 and 2-2 in the league.

Next up for Coach Niland's charges will be a pair of games at the York College Tournament. Behrend will play Alvernia on January 3, at 8:00 p.m. York will hosts McDaniel in the early game. The winners will meet at 6:00 p.m. the following day with the consolation game slated for 4:00 p.m.