Men's Basketball Tripped Up By Alvernia in First Round of Steel Club Classic

BETHLEHEM, Pa. –  The Penn State Behrend men's basketball fell to Alvernia, 71-61, in the first round of the Steel Club Classic hosted by Moravian Friday night.

Score: Alvernia 71, Penn State Behrend 61

Records: Alvernia (7-3), Penn State Behrend (6-4)

Key Moments:

* The Golden Wolves controlled most of the first half, grabbing a 43-34 lead going into halftime
* The Lions cut their deficit to seven to begin the second half, but Alvernia continued to push its advantage to 10 or more points
* Alvernia took its biggest lead of the game with two minutes left in the game (71-56) en route to its seventh victory of the season
* Matthew McDonough (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) led Behrend with 15 points, while Michael Sopko (New Castle, PA/Neshannock) and Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park) each added 10 points. Sopko matched his career and season-high with nine rebounds and three blocks
* In his first collegiate start, freshman Shawn Mason (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) chipped in nine points and four assists for the Lions
* Jakob Kelly tallied a game-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds for the Golden Wolves. Robert Mullan (16 points) and Nigel Cooke (11 points) were the other Alvernia scorers to finish in double-figures

Up Next:

* The Lions will take on Hunter in the consolation game tomorrow. Tip off is slated for 3:30 p.m.