Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

CRESSON, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team continued its impressive form, securing a sixth consecutive win with a hard-fought 86-75 triumph over Mount Aloysius this Saturday afternoon, January 27.

From the opening tip-off, the Lions dominated the court, establishing a commanding 19-8 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first period. Behrend maintained their momentum, heading into halftime with a substantial 38-25 advantage.

However, the Mounties displayed resilience, chipping away at the Lions’ lead and eventually seizing control with a 54-51 lead and just under 10 minutes left in the contest. Undeterred, Penn State Behrend rallied from a six-point deficit (57-51), reclaiming the lead with 6:29 on the clock at 61-60.

The Lions refused to relinquish their lead, ultimately securing their 13th overall victory of the season and eighth in conference play. A standout performance came from Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park), who recorded his second 30-point game of the season, finishing with a game-high 30 points and contributing six rebounds.

Joining DiRienzo in the scoring column were three other Lions who tallied double-figures. Sophomore Matthew McDonough (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) notched 18 points on an impressive 7-10 shooting, while Matt Niland (Erie, PA/Fairview) and Mason Blankenberg (Ontario, NY/Wayne) both contributed 14 points each. Niland showcased his playmaking abilities with five assists, while Blankenberg made a significant impact off the bench.

In the rebounding department, RJ Marsh (State College, PA/Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, demonstrating the Lions’ dominance on the boards. Michael Sopko (New Castle, PA/Neshannock) also played a crucial role, collecting five rebounds.

On the Mount Aloysius side, three players scored in double-figures. Will Hagwood led the way with 18 points, followed by De’Von Haggans with 17 points, and Ronnie McClain, who contributed 15 points off the bench.

As a team, Behrend capitalized on 13 Mount Aloysius turnovers, converting them into 16 points, and outrebounded the Mounties by a margin of 28-24. With this victory, Penn State Behrend strengthens its position with a season record of 13-5, including an 8-3 mark in AMCC play, while Mount Aloysius now holds a record of 5-13, with a conference record of 3-8. The Lions will look to build on this success as they continue their quest for postseason glory.