BUFFALO, NY – The Medaille College Men's Basketball team welcomed in the Penn State Altoona Lions to the Sullivan Center on Saturday afternoon, as part of "Suits and Sneakers" week for Coaches vs. Cancer. This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the heralded event, which has raised awareness and provided fundraising for the American Cancer Society to the tune of over $100 million since its collaboration in 1993.

The Mavericks came into this special day bearing significant momentum. Their most recent victory (95-94) over cross-town rival Hilbert College vaulted Medaille's conference record up to (8-3). That currently places the Mavericks smack in the middle of four teams in a logjam atop the AMCC standings as of this weekend:

• T-1^st - Penn St. Behrend (10-1 AMCC)
• T-1^st - La Roche College (10-1 AMCC)
• 3^rd - MEDAILLE COLLEGE (8-3 AMCC)
• 4^th - Penn St. Altoona (7-3 AMCC)

A win this afternoon for Medaille would provide much-needed space between the Mavericks and the Altoona Lions, while also putting them in great position to climb further atop the standings in the coming days and weeks, with help from potential out-of-town conference performances.

The Mavericks were also looking to improve on their current six-game winning streak, dating back to a January 6^th victory over the Mounties from Mount Aloysius. Medaille also boasts the most prolific scoring offense in the AMCC; a lethal attack that can catch fire at any given moment. Their (1451) points for paces the AMCC as of today, (20) points better than the La Roche College RedHawks who can claim second (1431).

The first half began quite sloppy for both sides, but eventually the Mavericks found stride and were able to pull away from the 3^rd place Lions. Led by seniors Mike Hollenbeck (Ontario, NY, Wayne Central) and Justice Fagan (Batavia, NY, Batavia)'s (9) and (8) points, respectively, Medaille was able to take advantage of a one-man Penn State band as the blue and gold brought a (41-26) lead into the final (20) minutes of play. (14) of the Lions' (26) first-half points were scored by Jalen Archie-Davis. No one else registered more than (4) first-half tallies for the side of Penn State.

Huge second halves from both squads livened up the competition level in the second stanza. Both teams tallied an even (48) points in the final (20) minutes of play. Despite the uptick in offense for the Lions, their poor first half proved insurmountable as Medaille cruised to their seventh consecutive conference victory. With their (89-74) win, the Mavericks officially pushed their record to (12-7, 9-3 AMCC), inching closer to the top two spots in the conference in the process.

Medaille was led offensively by a trio of upperclassmen who combined for (57) of the team's points on the victorious afternoon: Hollenbeck paced all Mavericks with his (20) points to go along with his (7) rebounds, senior transfer Jalen Smith (Batavia, NY, Batavia)

chipped in (19) points and (6) assists, and Fagan's (18) points and (3) assists complimented the winning formula admirably.

Medaille will look to make it eight in a row as they cap off the month of January with a road tilt against the (15-3, 10-1 AMCC) Penn St. Behrend Lions on Wednesday the 31^st. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.