Lions Breeze Past Spartans, 69-55

ERIE, PA – Chris Saltzman poured in 18 points and pulled down 7 boards to help the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team overcome D'Youville in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) play Wednesday night, 69-55.

Justin Kovac shot a season best four-for-six from long range and finished with 14 points while dishing out four assists. Chris Tamasy scored in double figures for the second consecutive game and ended with 10 points and three dimes while Shane Skelly, taking over for the injured Russ Conley, scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds for the Lions (9-1, 4-0 AMCC).

The Spartans (2-9, 2-2 AMCC) were led by Coyle Patrick and Shane Canahai who went on to score 10 and nine points, respectively. Patrick also chipped in with seven rebounds and six blocked shots on the night.

D'Youville came out hitting on all cylinders as the men were out to avenge their two previous losses to Behrend in the 2009-10 season. The Spartans maintained a lead through much of the first half thanks to Canahai's eight points. Down 15-21 with 7 minutes remaining, Behrend scored 17 unanswered to take the lead heading into halftime, 32-21.

The Lions went on to cap off a 31-0 run by scoring 14 more points to begin the second half, 46-21 (14:56). Not giving up, the Spartans brought it within 16 points (64-48) but the deficit was too great to overcome with only two minutes remaining as Berhend was able to empty out the bench defeating D'Youvile, 69-55 winning their fourth consecutive AMCC game.

Behrend returns to action 3 p.m. Saturday taking on Pitt-Greensburg at the Junker Center.