Strong Second Half Powers Lions to Third Straight Win

GREENSBURG, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team defeated Pitt-Greensburg, 61-51 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Saturday afternoon.

After a back and forth opening stanza, the Lions (5-7, 4-2 AMCC) shot 58.3 percent from the floor to outscore the Bobcats by 10 in the second half.

Throughout the first half, neither team was able to gain much momentum. Pitt-Greensburg got out to an eight point lead by the 7:23 mark.  Behrend was able to capitalize on their opportunities though with Chris Rader (Wexford, PA/Pine-Richland) and Pat St. Andrews (State College, PA/State College) hitting back to back threes to tie the game at 25-all at the break.

With the second half underway, the Lions came out strong.  Behrend used an early 11-3 run to start the second 20 minutes, capped off by Nick DeLisio's (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) six straight points.

By the 7:18 mark, the Bobcats fought their way back into the game. Anthony Papini hit a layup and the lead was down to six for the Lions. Nick Thorsen (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) answered with two threes and a jumper and suddenly Behrend had the 10-point advantage again. Thorsen capped off the game with two clutch free throws to give Behrend their fourth AMCC victory.

Russ Conley (Transfer, PA/Reynolds) led the way for the Lions with 11 points and eight boards.  Thorsen finished the day with 10 points four rebounds and three assists.  For the third consecutive game, Adam Palcic (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) hit at least two triples.

Behrend will be back on the court tomorrow.  The Lions travel to Mt. Aloysius.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.