ALTOONA, PA - The Medaille College Men's Basketball team returned to action today when they traveled to play Penn State Altoona in a Saturday afternoon Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference matchup.

Medaille entered the game with a (1-2) overall record and an (0-1) AMCC record coming off an (84-90) loss to Hilbert College in their AMCC opener on Wednesday.

Penn State Altoona entered the game with (3-4) overall record and an (0-1) AMCC record as they lost their AMCC opener to La Roche College in overtime on Wednesday (57-58).

Medaille opened up the game with a (5-0) lead off of a three-pointer by Johnathan Belton (Amherst, NY, Amherst) and a two-point jumper by Jammal Coleman (Rochester, NY, Aquinas Institute).

The Lions answered though, going on a (12) point run, to take a (12-5) lead at the (13:33) mark of the first half.

The Lions then stretched their lead out to (10) points just before the half way mark of the first half, when Anton Lucas hit a layup to put Penn State Altoona up (20-10).

Medaille then went on a (17-6) run to take the lead back briefly (27-26) with (4:07) remaining in the first half.

The two teams played the final four minutes of the half evenly, with Medaille going into the break with a (31-30) lead.

Medaille came out of the break, looking to take over the game. They extended their lead to ten points (42-32), five minutes into the second half when Jammal Coleman scored on a fast break.

Medaille would then extend their lead to thirteen points with (10:01) left in the game on a three-pointer by Chris Willingham (Nashville, TN, East Literature).

The Lions would cut into the lead though, getting back to within four points at (59-55) with (2:23) to go in the game.

A pair of Johnathon Belton free throws, extended the Medaille lead to (6) points, but Altoona would respond on the next possession on a three-point play by Evan Greening to cut the Medaille lead back to (3) points.

After a pair of possessions with no points for Medaille, the Lions were able to tie the game on another three-point play, this time by Anton Lucas.

Following a timeout, Medaille's Ryan Grandits (Kenmore, NY, Kenmore West High School) missed on a three pointer from the corner, but Jammal Coleman was able to corral the offensive rebound and was fouled on the put-back attempt. Coleman would convert one of two free throws to go up (62-61) with (:33) seconds left.

Altoona's Evan Greening then was fouled with (:14.6) left, and he hit both free throws to put the Lions on top (63-62).

Chris Willingham then went coast to coast with the ball against the Lions' full court press and put the Mavs back on top (64-63) with (:07.5) seconds left.

On Penn State Altoona's ensuing possession, they were not able to score and Medaille was able to hold on for their first AMCC win of the season.

"All the credit goes to our players for maintaining their poise through a tough run down the stretch," head coach Mike Blaine said following the win. "It is difficult to get any win on the road, especially against a team as well coached as Penn State Altoona. If we can continue to show this kind of resolve we have an opportunity to achieve great success this year," Blaine concluded.

Jammal Coleman led the Mavericks in scoring for the fourth straight game, with (16) points. He also had (4) assists and (5) rebounds.

Chris WIllingham was the only other Maverick to reach double figures, as he had (11) points.

Senior Cooper Calzonetti (Neptune, NJ, Neptune High School) scored (8) points and was a perfect (2-2) from downtown in the win.

Miles Newcomb (Oklahoma City, OK, Bishop McGuiness) came off the bench to score a season high (7) points in (20) minutes of action.

With the win, Medaille improves to (2-2) overall and (1-1) in AMCC play. With the loss, Penn State Altoona drops to (3-5) overall and (0-2) in AMCC play, with both losses coming by one point.

Medaille returns to action on Monday, when they travel to play Geneseo in a make-up game that was originally scheduled for November 18th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.