Harrison Lilley

Photo Editor

hjl5363@psu.edu

HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team secured an impressive 71-55 triumph against Hilbert in a riveting game on Wednesday, January 10.

In a game filled with key moments, the Lions set the tone early with a commanding 19-9 run within the first 10 minutes of the contest. Heading into halftime, Behrend maintained control with a 37-29 lead, limiting the Hawks to a mere 28.6 percent shooting from the field (8-28).

The second half saw Hilbert mounting a comeback, narrowing the deficit to seven points (49-43) with 10 minutes remaining. However, the Lions showcased resilience, embarking on a decisive 12-0 run over the next five minutes. This surge propelled them to their largest lead of the game at 61-43.

Ultimately, Penn State Behrend clinched its ninth win of the season and secured a crucial fourth conference victory, concluding the game at 71-55.

Leading the charge for the Lions, Tommy DiRienzo from Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park, emerged as the top scorer with an impressive 23 points. DiRienzo also contributed four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, showcasing his well-rounded skills on the court. Sophomore guard Matthew McDonough of Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny, joined in the scoring spree, registering 19 points with a noteworthy 7-14 shooting from the field and 5-11 from beyond the arc.

On the defensive end, Michael Sopko from New Castle, PA/Neshannock, made a significant impact, grabbing a team-high six rebounds and blocking three shots. Mason Blankenberg of Ontario, NY/Wayne, came off the bench to contribute five assists and five rebounds, further bolstering Behrend’s performance.

Matt Niland from Erie, PA/Fairview, added eight points and three rebounds, contributing to the well-rounded effort by the Lions.

The Hawks, led by Jahmel Demery’s 17 points, made valiant efforts to stay in the game. Edward Perez collected a team-high six rebounds and added 16 points.

In a statistical display of dominance, Behrend outscored Hilbert both off turnovers (20-13) and in points in the paint (32-22), underlining their all-around prowess on the court. The victory solidifies Penn State Behrend’s position in the conference and sets the stage for more exciting matchups in the season ahead.