Men's Basketball Comes Away with Huge Win
Over Lake Erie
The
Behrend Lions men's basketball team built a lead with long-distance shooting
and held on for a big 70-65 victory against Lake Erie on Wednesday, February
20 in the Junker Center. With the win Behrend clinches the #1 seed in
the conference tournament and will host the semifinals and finals February
29 and March 1.
The Behrend Lions improved their home record to a perfect 13-0 on senior night in front of 532 fans. Before the game Behrend seniors Kevin Buczynski (Erie/Villa Maria), David Gahan (Erie/East), Ben Gasbarre (DuBois/DuBois Central Catholic), Doug Straub (St. Mary's/Elk County Catholic), and Dan Ziegler (Johnsonburg/Johnsonburg) were recognized for their contributions over the past four seasons.
Behrend (20-4, 14-3) connected on
12-of-22 three-point field goals in the game shooting a blistering 55% from
long-range. The blue and white led by nine at the break (32-23)
after knocking down six first-half three-point attempts. Behrend
extended that lead to 13 with just under 12 minutes to play in the second
half (50-37) when Straub made his second of three second-half 3-point
baskets.
Adam Kaiser (Erie/Cathedral Prep) was also on fire from long-range
connecting on five-of-six from deep to finish with 16 points in the game.
Buczynski was productive as usual, adding 13 points and seven boards.
Justin Kovac (Venetia/Peters Township) scored ten points to go along with
five assists, while Straub finished with nine points.
For the Storm, Derrick Thornton (17 points) and Darnell Campbell (10 points)
both reached double-digits in scoring.
Behrend will complete the regular season with a trip to Pitt-Bradford to
play the Panthers in a 4:00 p.m. game on Saturday, February 23.