BUFFALO, NY - The Medaille College Men's Basketball team returned to action this evening in their regular season home finale in another Allegheny Mountain matchup. Tonight the Mavs (9-12, 7-7 AMCC) matched up with #21 Penn St.-Behrend (19-1, 13-1 AMCC). Behrend entered the game winning (15) and they lead the country in scoring defense, allowing just (57.3) points per game. However, today Medaille was the better defensive team as they had (7) blocks and (11) steals en route to a (71-52) win.

Neither team was able to get any separation in the early minutes with Medaille holding the slight edge two point edge midway through the half (15-13). The Mavericks defensive effort in the early minutes was very strong as they had several blocks and did not allow the Lions any inside points.

A big three-pointer by senior Jacob Denz (East Aurora, NY, St. Mary's of Lancaster) that barely beat the shot clock and a transition layup by fellow senior Erik Simmons (Buffalo, NY, St. Mary's of Lancaster) gave the Mavs their largest lead of the night in the first half (27-18) with just under five minutes remaining in the half.

The Lions got a bit closer before the half, but Medaille did not relinquish the lead as they were up by five points (33-28) at the half.

Penn St.-Behrend's Malquan Pullium led all scorers at the half with (10) points, as he was (4-9) from the field and (2-5) from three-point range. Medaille was led by Mike Hollenbeck (Ontario, NY, Wayne Central) with (8) points.

The Mavs (14-31; 45.2%) outshot Penn St.-Behrend (11-31; 35.5%) in the half.

Medaille came out of the half strong, building the lead to double-digits (40-30) at the (17:15) mark on a put-back layup by Johnathan Belton (Amherst, NY, Amherst).

A layup by Penn St.-Behrend's Zane Hackett at the (13:04) mark capped off a (12-3) run that saw the Lions get to within one point (43-42), but that was as close as the Lions would get as they would get in the half.

A three-pointer by Mike Hollenbeck stretched the lead to thirteen points (61-48) with just (2:24) remaining in the game.

The Mavs stretched the lead to twenty points (68-48) with just (1:29) to go on a Chris Willingham (Nashville, TN, East Literature) layup.

Medaille did not allow the Lions to dominate inside as they had been accustomed to all season and they never got anything going from the outside as they shot (7-27; 25.9%) from three-point range.

"That was as complete a performance as we have had all season against an outstanding Penn State-Behrend team," head coach Mike Blaine said following the win. " Our cohesiveness on offense and defense kept us together throughout the entire game. I am excited with the direction we are headed as we look to finish the regular season on a high note and make a push towards the playoffs."

The Mavericks' Mike Hollenbeck led the Mavericks with (17) points and nine rebounds. Chris Willingham finished with (14) points and Justice Fagan (Batavia, NY, Batavia) had (11) points.

Willingham now needs (13) points to reach the 1,000 point plateau.

Malquan Pullium led the Lions with (17) points. He was the only Lion to finish in double figures.

The win improves Medaille to (10-12, 8-7 AMCC), the loss drops Penn St.-Behrend to (19-2, 13-2 AMCC). Medaille still sits in fifth place in the AMCC, but keep their hopes alive for hosting a first round playoff game.

Medaille returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Steubenville, OH for another AMCC matchup. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 2:00 pm.