Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

ALTOONA, Pa. – In a heart-stopping encounter that went down to the wire, the Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team edged out a narrow 83-82 victory over Penn State Altoona on Saturday afternoon. The game, characterized by its intensity and high stakes, was ultimately decided by a turnaround jumper from Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park) with just four seconds remaining in overtime.

With the teams locked at 82-82, the tension in the arena was palpable. DiRienzo, who had been instrumental throughout the game, stepped up to deliver the final blow. His shot, a turnaround jumper, bounced tantalizingly around the rim before falling through, sealing a crucial win for Behrend. This victory elevates Penn State Behrend’s record to 17-6 overall and 12-4 in the AMCC, while Penn State Altoona drops to 9-14, 8-8 in conference play.

Key moments in the game highlighted the sheer competitiveness of the matchup. With the score tied at 70 in the dying minutes of regulation, Mason Blankenberg (Ontario, NY/Wayne) put Behrend ahead with a well-timed layup. But Altoona’s Jarrett Gardner quickly responded to level the scores again.

In a dramatic turn, Altoona had a golden opportunity to clinch the game in regulation but was thwarted by a crucial turnover forced by Behrend, pushing the game into overtime. Altoona initially took a lead in the extra period, but Behrend, undeterred, clawed their way back into the contest. Free throws from DiRienzo and Shawn Mason (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) were crucial in regaining the lead for Behrend, albeit briefly.

In the end, it was DiRienzo’s heroics that made the difference in a game that will be remembered for its nail-biting finish. This marks Behrend’s third overtime game of the season, with the team now holding a 2-1 record in such contests.

The game also witnessed some standout individual performances. Senior guard Matt Niland (Erie, PA/Fairview) recorded a season-high 17 points, along with contributing four rebounds and three assists. DiRienzo and Michael Sopko (New Castle, PA/Neshannock) both finished with impressive stats, scoring 16 points each and grabbing nine rebounds. Blankenberg and Matthew McDonough (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) also made significant contributions with 14 points and five rebounds each.

For Altoona, Jarrett Gardner’s double-double, consisting of a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds, was a highlight, although it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

In a game where every point and rebound mattered, Penn State Behrend’s ability to outrebound Altoona (46-37) and capitalize on second chance points (27-13) played a pivotal role in their victory. This win reflects the team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for their upcoming fixtures in the AMCC.