Behrend Men's Basketball Stay Perfect at Home with Win Over Pitt-Bradford

The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team remained undefeated at home with a 77 to 57 win over the rival Pitt-Bradford Panthers on Wednesday, January 6 at the Junker Center.  This win increased Behrend's home record to 5-0 on the season.

The first half saw the Behrend Lions and the Pitt-Bradford Panthers trade baskets and play even keel basketball for the first ten minutes of the game.  It was not until the 8:57 mark of the first half when Behrend grew on a lead that stretched to as much as 12 with just over four minutes to play.  The first half ended with Behernd in the lead at 38-31.  Chris Saltzman (Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Central Catholic) would lead the blue and white with points at the half with 15 while Nick Thorsen (Bethel Park/Bethel Park) would tally 10 points in the opening frame. 

After halftime, the two teams took the court looking to put away an important AMCC win and take momentum into the rest of the conference season.  Pitt-Bradford came out and wanted to make a statement as they cut the Behrend to six at the 15:38 mark.  The Panthers tried to climb their way back into the game, but the Behrend was just too strong.  Behrend saw itself up by 20 points with just over four minutes to play in the contest.  The blue and white would add free throws at the end to seal the victory.  Saltzman would finish the game with a game high 28 points and eight boards as junior Justin Kovac (Venetia/Peters Township) would chip in with 15 points and five assists. 

With the win, the blue and white are now 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the AMCC.  Pitt-Bradford drops to 3-8 on the year and 3-3 in the conference.  Up next for the Berhend Lions will be two AMCC road tests on Saturday, January 9 at the La Roche Redhawks and then again on Wednesday, January 13 when they take on the Hilbert Hawks.  The blue and white will be back at the Junker Center on Saturday, January 16 against Penn State Altoona.