Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – In a commanding performance, the Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team left no room for doubt as they triumphed over Carlow with a resounding 84-49 win on the road Wednesday night, January 24.

The Lions showcased their dominance from the opening whistle, initiating a 14-4 run within the first six minutes of the game. Despite a brief resurgence from Carlow, the dynamic duo of Matthew McDonough and Isaac DeGregorio, both hailing from local schools in Pittsburgh, extended Behrend’s lead to a comfortable 12 points, making it 26-14.

As the first half concluded, Behrend maintained control with a solid 36-24 lead. The Lions, undeterred, continued to widen the gap in the second half, eventually reaching a commanding 77-49 advantage. With 3:34 remaining, the bench was cleared, securing their seventh conference victory and fifth consecutive win.

Matthew McDonough was the standout performer of the night, amassing a game-high 26 points on a 10-21 shooting display, including six successful three-pointers. McDonough also showcased his playmaking abilities, delivering a career-high five assists. Supporting him, sophomore Michael Sopko recorded 13 points, six rebounds, and an impressive five blocks on the defensive end.

Off the bench, Mason Blankenberg and Stefan Milinkovic contributed significantly with 11 and eight points, respectively. Milinkovic also grabbed a season-high six rebounds. Guard Matt Niland orchestrated the offense efficiently, tallying five rebounds and four assists, while RJ Marsh contributed with seven rebounds.

Carlow, trailing throughout the game, was led by Byron Gaskins with 12 points, closely followed by Jimmy Giannetta, who notched eight points and four rebounds.

Behrend’s overall team performance was remarkable, shooting 52.5 percent from the field and an impressive 57.1 percent from beyond the arc. They dominated the boards, outrebounding Carlow 49-23, and excelled in second chance points (18-4) and bench points (29-18).

With this convincing victory, Penn State Behrend solidifies their position with a 12-5 record (7-3 AMCC), while Carlow drops to 3-15 (1-10 AMCC). The Lions continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the conference, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.