Behrend Men Handle Fredonia State, 69-65, in 2009-10 Opener

The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team rallied behind the play of junior forward Chris Saltzman (Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Central Catholic) on Wednesday, November 18, to win its home opener over Fredonia State, 69 to 65.  Saltzman scored a career high 31, on 12-of-19 from the floor, and hauled down seven boards.

Behrend trailed 30-26 at the conclusion of the first half of play as the Blue Devils shot 58% from the floor.

During the second twenty, Fredonia built a lead as large as seven before Saltzman's late heroics became the headline. Down 59-57, he connected on a driving lay-up to knot the game at 59 all with 2:24 to play. Saltzman then provided Behrend with its first lead of the second half after another bucket and made free to give the blue and white a 62-61 advantage. In Behrend's next possession, Saltzman hit a turn-around jumper from ten feet to make it 64-63. Free throws by Justin Kovac (Venetia/Peters Township) and Adam Potter (Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon) sealed the four point victory.

For Behrend Sophomore guard Nick Thorsen (Bethel Park/Bethel Park) came off the bench to contribute nine points, and five assists, while Potter chipped in nine markers. Fredonia was paced by Brad Cooper's 16-point, six rebound, five assist night, but fell to 0-2 on the year.

Up next for Coach Niland's charges will be a pair of AMCC road tests. On Tuesday, November 24, the blue and white will compete at Franciscan at 8:00 p.m. and then on November 30, Behrend will play at Medaille in Buffalo.  The Mavericks were the 2008-09 AMCC league champions.