Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

ERIE, Pa. – In a commanding display of basketball prowess, the Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team clinched a significant 78-63 victory over Hilbert College on Wednesday night. This triumph in their final regular season home game marked the Lions’ 11th conference win of the season, enhancing their impressive record to 16-6 overall and 11-4 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC).

The game began with an intense back-and-forth tussle, with both teams vying for dominance in the first 15 minutes. However, the tide turned in Behrend’s favor when RJ Marsh and Michael Sopko sank crucial three-pointers, propelling the Lions to a 29-23 lead. This momentum continued as the team stretched their advantage to 41-30 by halftime.

In the second half, Behrend’s control over the game was unmistakable. The Lions amplified their lead to a staggering 20 points (63-43) with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, a lead they maintained until the final buzzer.

Tommy DiRienzo, a standout player from Pittsburgh, PA, spearheaded the scoring with an impressive 24 points, complemented by seven rebounds and five assists. This game marked DiRienzo’s 21st double-figure scoring game of the season and his 12th with 20 or more points.

RJ Marsh, another key player, narrowly missed a double-double, ending the game with 13 points and nine rebounds, along with three steals. Other notable contributions came from Matthew McDonough and Michael Sopko, who added 16 and 10 points respectively, showcasing Behrend’s depth of talent.

Mason Blankenberg, a vital player off the bench, contributed nine points and four rebounds, underscoring the team’s strong bench performance.

Despite the loss, Hilbert’s Jahmel Demery scored 22 points and Edward Perez achieved a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, highlighting their individual efforts in a challenging game.

A significant factor in Behrend’s victory was their ability to capitalize on turnovers, scoring 17 points off 12 Hilbert turnovers, a testament to their aggressive and efficient style of play.

As the regular season winds down, this victory solidifies Behrend’s position as a formidable force in the AMCC, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting postseason campaign.