La Roche Gets Payback; Behrend Falls, 67-61

PITTSBURGH, Pa.–Behrend scored 11 points in the final minute but wasn't enough to gain the edge over conference foe La Roche at the Kerr Fitness Center, Monday, as the men would fall 67-61.

Four Redhawks (20-2, 14-1 AMCC) scored double-digits to split the season series between  the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference's (AMCC) top-place teams. Nate Wojciechowski shot a perfect 3-for-3 from long range to end the game with 14 while Mike Dixon and Joel McIntosh tallied 13 each. Laron Mann chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and six assists from the point-guard position.

Chris Saltzman had another spectacular outing, scoring 20+ for the second consecutive game. The senior captain netted 22 while Russ Conley shot 5-for-10 from the field including a three pointer to end up with 17 for the Lions (18-3, 13-2 AMCC). Nick Dvorsky and Justin Kovac contributed with eight and seven points, respectively.

Saltzman kept Behrend in the game in the early going. The forward had a 14 point half shooting 6-for-7 to propel the Lions to a 32-31 lead after 20 minutes of play.

The Redhawks broke out to an eight-point lead with 10 minutes to go in the half, 44-36. Trading bucket-for-bucket, the Lions quickly found themselves down 11 with 1:11 on the clock. At this point the only way to create possessions was to foul. Behrend attempted to scratch their way back with Kovac, Saltzman and Conley each hitting triples but the Redhawks made thier last minute effort ineffective after cashing in on free throws. La Roche would go on to win, 67-61 to reclaim the top spot in the AMCC.

Behrend will host Pitt-Bradford on Wednesday at 8 p.m.