ERIE, PA – The Medaille College Men's Basketball team returned to the hardwood this evening as they traveled down the I-90 for a pivotal AMCC matchup with conference-leading Penn St.-Behrend.
Both teams entered the game with impressive win streaks, but it was the Lions who prevailed this evening Penn St.-Behrend outlasted Medaille (63-58), beating the Mavericks for the second time this season.
Senior Mike Hollenbeck recorded a double-double with (14) points and (10) rebounds.
The game would be deciding in the final minutes, very similar to the first meeting between these two teams. Behrend jumped out to quick 15-point advantage in the first half, (23-8). However, the Mavericks grinded their way back into the game putting together a (16-5) run to cut the lead to four with just under four minutes left in the first half.
Behrend went into the half leading (36-29). The Lions shot (46.7) percent from both the field and from behind the arc, while the Mavericks shot (42.9) percent from both the floor and three-point range.
As for the second half, it was a back and forth grind from the moment the whistle blew. Medaille inched its way, cutting the deficit smaller and smaller, until Jonathan Smith (Accokeek, MD, Clarion Area (PA)) converted on a layup at the 7:34 mark to give the Mavericks a two-point advantage.
Medaille held the lead for the next few minutes, but a dagger from Behrend's Justin Gorny gave them the lead for good inside five minutes.
The Lions were able to hit enough free throws down the stretch to hold on for the five point victory.
Medaille had a trio of players in double-figures; Mike Hollenbeck (Ontario, NY, Wayne Central), Jalen Smith (Batavia, NY, Batavia) and Johnathan Smith. Hollenbeck led the Mavs with (14) points, with both Smiths finished with (12) points. Hollenbeck also had (10) rebounds for a double-double.
Behrend's Mike Fischer led all scorers with (19) points and six assists. Dan Wanker finished with (16) points and (10) rebounds and Justin Gorny chipped in with (11) points.
The Mavericks will look to bounce back on Saturday, when they travel to face off with La Roche College. Tip-off is at 2:00 pm.