Explosive First Half Leads to Big Win Over Pitt-Greensburg

ERIE, Pa. – Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) scored 19 points with three assists to help the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team turn in a dominating first half performance en route to a 97-62 victory over Pitt-Greensburg on Wednesday night at the Junker Center.

The Lions excellence started shortly after the opening tip – Behrend (18-4, 12-3 AMCC) began the game on a 24-4 run and scored 51 first half points – easily their best offensive output of the season.

The hot start was the result of an aggressive man-to-man defense that kept the Bobcats (11-11, 9-6 AMCC) on their heels and forced 11 turnovers in the opening period. The Lions carried a 51-21 advantage into the locker room.

As was the case in every other facet of the contest, Behrend had their way on the boards. The Lions out-rebounded Pitt-Greensburg 49-29 and their effort on the offensive glass in particular was stellar. Behrend corralled 21 offensive rebounds that led to 27 second-chance points.

Big men Shane Skelly (Westlake, OH/Westlake), Mike Knoll (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep), Wes Davic (Grafton, OH/Midview), and Zane Hackett (Brookville, PA/Brookville) combined to go 13-of-18 (72.2 percent) from the field as it was clear early on that the Lions plan was to feed it inside.

It was a strategy that turned out to be extremely effective. Behrend outscored the Bobcats 42-26 in the paint.

The guards were solid as well, with DeLisio, Casey Courneen (Sewickely, PA/Quaker Valley), and Malquan Pullium (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) hitting seven of the Lions nine three-pointers. Courneen scored 15 points on the night, and Pullium added 10.

Finally, it was Hackett who put an exclamation point on the evening with two emphatic dunks that may make the sophomore wish he was eligible to participate in Saturday's NBA Dunk Contest. 

The 97 points were the most the Lions have scored in regulation since a 102-69 victory over Mt. Aloysius on January 9, 2011.

Behrend will continue their three game homestand when they take on La Roche on Saturday, February 15 at 2 p.m.