Lions Knock Off Altoona For First Win

ALTOONA, Pa. - Russ Conley (Transfer, PA/Reynolds), Casey Courneen (Sewickley, PA/Quaker Valley), and Evan Eaton (Mt. Lebanon, PA/Mt. Lebanon) combined for 54 points en route to defeating Penn State Altoona, 71-61 on Saturday afternoon in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) men's basketball action.

The Lions (1-5, 1-1 AMCC) found their touch from long range, shooting 44.4% from three to even their AMCC record at 1-1.

Conley started the game fast for Behrend scoring six straight points before Courneen hit two threes to tie the game halfway through the opening stanza.  The first 20 minutes saw seven ties with the Lions and Altoona trading baskets.  It wasn't until the three minute mark that Behrend gained control. 

Courneen hit his third triple of the half to start an 11-4 run.  The Lions defense held Altoona to just four free-throws to take a 30-24 halftime lead.

With the second half underway, Behrend continued to build on their lead.  Penn St. Altoona scored eight straight points to close the gap to one but Conley continued his dominance inside, answering with two consecutive layups.

Chris Rader (Wexford, PA/Pine-Richland) hit two jumpers of his own to keep the Lions up by six at the 13 minute mark.  Courneen hit another three followed by a Conley layup and the lead was 11.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, the Lions stayed even with Behrend but the 10 point advantage was too much to overcome. 

Conley closed the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds for his second straight double-double.  Courneen's 20 points and six three-pointers were both career highs for the first year Lions player.  Eaton netted 13 points, scoring in double figures for the second time this season.

The Lions made more free-throws than Penn St. Altoona attempted and held a huge 38-19 rebounding advantage.

Behrend will be back in action on Wednesday for their third AMCC game of the year.  The Lions will host Hilbert at the Junker Center at 6 p.m.