Lions Win Season Opener

ERIE, Pa. – Wes Davic (Grafton, OH/Midview) and Zane Hackett (Brookville, PA/Brookville) both posted double-doubles to lead the Penn State Behrend men's basketball team to a 74-63 victory over Thiel in their season opener.

Davic had an extraordinary game, and recorded a double-double before the end of the first half. He set career highs with 18 points and 19 rebounds, nine of which were on the offensive end. Hackett was also dominant on the boards, grabbing seven offensive rebounds and 11 total. He finished with a career-high 20 points and added two assists and a steal.

After jumping out to an early lead, the Lions (1-0) found themselves trailing by eight with 9:47 to play in the first half. Behrend held strong and at the 6:20 mark went on an 18-5 run to close out the half with a 38-30 advantage.  

The Lions dominated early in the second half and secured a 16 point-lead with 14:19 left to play. Thiel fought back to bring the score within two with just over nine minutes in the second half.

Thanks in part to the great defensive play of Keith Wallace (Erie, PA/Central Tech), Behrend held on to earn their first victory of the year. Wallace finished with 10 points and snatched a game-high seven steals.

Nick DeLisio (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley) chipped in 14 points, two assists, two rebounds and a steal in 38 minutes of action. Mike Knoll (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) and Jordan Grabowski (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) provided a boost off the Lion's bench scoring five points each. Knoll added two steals and Grabowski notched two assists, a steal and a rebound.

Behrend hosts Westminster next Tuesday at 7 p.m.