Men's Basketball Tops Thiel In Season Opener

GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team opened their season with a commanding 75-56 win over Thiel on Wednesday night.

All five of the Lions' (1-0) starters recorded double-digit scoring performances. Freshman Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) lead all scorers with 17 points and five steals to start his collegiate career on a high note.

Senior Zane Hackett (Brookville, PA/Brookville) continued where he left off last season. Hackett led the team with 23 double-doubles last season, and got off to a hot start this season with 11 points and 13 boards to tally his first double-double this year.

Malquan Pullium (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) got Behrend off to an energizing start after a steal and finish at the other end gave the Lions a 2-0 lead. The Tomcats (1-1) kept the game close early however, forcing four ties and two lead changes in the first 10 minutes.  Pullium finished with 10 points.

After a 13-13 tie, Malike Brinson (Erie, PA/Collegiate Academy) hit a three to start a 7-0 Behrend run, amounting to a lead they would keep for the remainder of the game.

The Lions' took and 28-22 halftime lead and turned it into a 19 point win at the hands of three freshman shooters. Niland drained three threes to tally 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Justin Gorny (South Park, PA/South Park) went 3-4 from behind the arc for nine of his 12 points and Matt Colpoys (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) made both of his three-point attempts to score eight of his 10 in the second half.

Behrend returns to action next week with their home opener against Fredonia on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.