Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team displayed a remarkable comeback performance, clinching a hard-fought victory over Pitt-Bradford in a thrilling matchup at the Junker Center on the afternoon of Saturday, February 3. The final score stood at Penn State Behrend 77, Pitt-Bradford 59, marking a significant win for the Lions.

The game got off to a challenging start as Pitt-Bradford managed to hold the Lions scoreless for the first three minutes, securing an early 6-0 lead. However, Behrend quickly turned the tables, thanks in large part to the contributions of freshman sensation Shawn Mason from Webster, NY/Webster Thomas. Mason’s impressive three triples off the bench propelled the Lions to a 15-12 lead with 11:25 remaining in the first half, and from that point on, they never looked back.

Behrend headed into halftime with a commanding 47-29 advantage, thanks to standout performances by Tommy DiRienzo from Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park, and Mason Blankenberg from Ontario, NY/Wayne, who racked up 12 and 10 points respectively in the first half.

Throughout the game, the Lions consistently applied defensive pressure on the Panthers, forcing them to work hard for made baskets. This tenacious defensive effort ultimately allowed Behrend to secure their ninth conference win of the season.

Tommy DiRienzo led the Lions’ charge with 21 points, showcasing his scoring prowess with an 8-16 shooting performance from the field and a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line. This marks DiRienzo’s 19th double-digit scoring game of the season, and he now boasts 11 games with 20 or more points.

Off the bench, Mason Blankenberg contributed 16 points and four rebounds, while Shawn Mason chipped in with a valuable nine points. Senior RJ Marsh from State College, PA/Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy, displayed a stellar all-around performance, recording his second double-double of the year. Marsh tallied 12 points, a game-high 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, demonstrating his importance to the team.

On the Pitt-Bradford side, Gus Napoleon stood out with a game-high 23 points, while Jamarion Butler and Samuel Brown each grabbed six rebounds. Notably, Behrend’s defense held Butler to just six points, an impressive feat considering he entered the game tied for third in the AMCC with an average of 18.6 points per game.

As a team, Penn State Behrend capitalized on Pitt-Bradford’s mistakes, scoring 19 points off 12 turnovers. They also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Panthers 33-28, and showcased their depth by outscoring the opposing bench 52-13.

This victory improves Penn State Behrend’s record to 14-6 overall and 9-4 in the AMCC, solidifying their position as a strong contender in the conference. Meanwhile, Pitt-Bradford’s record now stands at 11-10 overall and 7-7 in the AMCC, reflecting their competitive spirit in the conference.

The Lions’ impressive performance on both ends of the court demonstrated their resilience and determination, leaving fans excited for what the remainder of the season holds for this talented team.