Lions Fall for First Time This Season At Allegheny, 73-67

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team dropped its first contest of the season, 73-67, at Allegheny Saturday night.

Score: Allegheny 73, Penn State Behrend 67

Records: Allegheny (2-4), Penn State Behrend (4-1)

Key Moments:

* The first half Saturday night was back-and-forth between the Lions and Gators as there were four lead changes and four ties
* In the first 20 minutes of play, Allegheny held the largest lead of seven points (24-17) with 9:45 remaining in the period
* Behrend trailed at the half by a score of 38-34 and was led by Michael Sopko's (New Castle, PA/Neshannock) 11 points and four rebounds
* Allegheny scored the first eight points to start the second half, however the Lions would record the next nine points to only trail by three points (46-43) going into the under 16 media timeout
* Both teams would trade baskets for most of the final period, until the Gators took an 11 point lead with five minutes remaining
* The Lions cut the deficit to five points (70-65) with one minute left in the contest
* However, Allegheny made its free throws down the stretch to hold off the Lions and secure the win
* Tommy DiRienzo (Pittsburgh, PA/Bethel Park) led all players with 24 points and 11 rebounds. This is the third double-double of the season and second consecutive game with double digit points and rebounds for DiRienzo
* DiRienzo has tallied 20 or more points in the Lions last three games
* Sopko finished with a career-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds. He previously set his career-high with 12 points in Behrend's season-opener
* The Gators had four players notch double-figures, led by Preston Turk's 15 points. Luke Barker registered 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds
* Saturday's game concluded with eight ties and eight lead changes
* As a team, the Lions outrebounded the Gators (37-33) and scored more second chance points (14-8)

Up Next:

* Behrend returns home to start conference play against Carlow on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.