Lions Roll in Consolation Game

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team defeated Otterbein 62-40 in the consolation game of the Smokey Ballenger Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions (6-4) held the Cardinals to just 28.8 percent shooting while never trailing to get back in the win column.

Chris Dudzenski (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe) capped a 17-5 run with a three to get Behrend off to a quick start through the first 10 minutes of the opening stanza.  Seven different Lions scored while the defense forced six turnovers.  Otterbein played even with the Lions over the rest of the first half, but Behrend still led by 13 at the break.

Much like the start of the first half, the Lions offense came out hot to begin the second.  Keith Wallace (Erie, PA/Central Tech) and Russ Conley (Transfer, PA/Reynolds) scored Behrend's first 12 points.  Shane Skelly (Westlake, OH/Westlake) netted four straight points with Casey Courneen (Sewickley, PA/Quaker Valley) adding five and suddenly the Lions were up by 32. 

Behrend scorched the nets with 56.5 percent shooting in the second half and missed just two free throws in the game to earn the victory.

Conley recorded a double-double for the Lions with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Courneen scored in double figures as well with 13 points.  Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) dished out a season-high six assists.

Behrend will be back in action on Wednesday to host Carnegie Mellon at 7 p.m.