Strong Start Fuels Behrend Past Hilbert

HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team notched a 71-55 victory at Hilbert Wednesday night.

Score: Penn State Behrend 71, Hilbert 55

Records: Penn State Behrend (9-5, 4-3 AMCC), Hilbert (8-6, 4-3 AMCC)

Key Moments:

* The Lions went on a 19-9 run in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday's contest
* Behrend controlled a 37-29 advantage going into halftime, holding the Hawks to only 28.6 percent
(8-28) shooting from the field
* The Lions fought off the comeback attempt of Hilbert in the second half as the Hawks pulled to within seven points (49-43) with 10 minutes remaining, but the Lions would go on a 12-0 run in the next five minutes to pull ahead 61-43 which would be their largest lead of the game
* Behrend eventually earned its ninth win of the season and fourth conference victory, 71-55
* Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park) led all scorers with 23 points to go along with four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks
* Sophomore guard Matthew McDonough (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) also scored in double-figures, registering 19 points on 7-14 from the field and 5-11 from beyond the arc
* Michael Sopko (New Castle, PA/Neshannock) grabbed a team-high six rebounds and blocked three shots on the defensive end, while Mason Blankenberg (Ontario, NY/Wayne) chipped in a game-high five assists to go along with five rebounds off the bench
* Matt Niland (Erie, PA/Fairview) added eight points and three rebounds for the Lions
* The Hawks were led by Jahmel Demery's 17 points, while Edward Perez collected a team-high six rebounds and added 16 points
* As a team, Behrend outscored Hilbert off turnovers (20-13) and points in the paint (32-22)

Up Next:

* The Lions return home for a matchup with Wells on Saturday, Jan. 13. Tip off will be at 4 p.m., following the women's game