Lions Drop Non-Conference Game to Mount Union

The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team fell to Mount Union Tuesday night in non-conference action, 72-67.

Lions Drop Non-Conference Game to Mount Union
November 22, 2016
Box Score

ERIE, Pa - The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team fell to Mount Union Tuesday night in non-conference action, 72-67.

Three triples in the final four minutes of the game helped propel the Raiders (3-0) over the Lions (1-2). Behrend carried a seven point lead into the second half, but the Lions were outscored 42-30 in the final 20 minutes of action.

Behrend had five players finish in double-digits for the first time this season. Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) lead the team in scoring with 15 points and four assists. Malquan Pullium (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) dropped 14 points and added two steals. Andy Niland (Fairview, PA/Fairview) and Matt Colpoys (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) each tallied 12 points while Connor McLaughlin (Ashtabula, OH/Edgewood) added 10.

The Lions broke open the game in the first minute with a Wanker triple and carried their lead for ten minutes until Mount Union's Diallo Niamke gave his team their first lead of the game with a layup in the paint. After two more lead changes, Behrend went on to finish the half on 15-5 run.

The Lions shot a first-half best 59.1 percent from the floor and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

The Raiders and Lions traded baskets to start the second half, but Mount Union's six three-pointers down the stretch helped them climb back into the game. With a little over 10 minutes to play, Niamke would give his team the lead again, but this time it was for good. Behrend came back within one point at the 4:13 mark after Pullium drained a three, but Tanner Slack quickly answered with one of his own.

For the next four minutes, the Raiders shot perfect from beyond the arc and went 6-for-7 from the free throw line to close out the game.

The Lions finished the game going 24-for-48 from the floor and shot 40 percent from three-point range.

Behrend will be back in action when they travel to Meadville, PA on November 26 to take on Allegheny. This will be the final non-conference game for the Lions before they open AMCC play. Game time is set for 3 p.m.