Page 8 - The Behrend College Collegian Thursday, February 20, /997 Lions' ECAC ho Lions bounce back from Monday's loss by Matt Plizga Sports Editor Coach Dave Niland's Behrend Lions continued their quest for an ECAC tournament bid with key battles with Waynesburg and La Roche. Wednesday night the Lions bounced back from a loss at Waynesburg with a hard fought victory over La Roche. The Lions avenged an early season loss to La Roche with a 66-57 overtime win. At the half Behrend held a slim lead, 28-27, thanks to 13 offensive rebounds and seven points by Jason Paloskey. The second half started slowly for the Lions as they found themselves trailing by as many as 14 early on. La Roche took a 44-30 lead on consecuative three pointers before Behrend started their run with ten minutes to go. I got It! Senior captain Ron Derian grabs yet another rebound for the Lions. Derian will play his last game in Erie Hall on Feb Timely three point shooting and pressure defense keyed Behrend's spurt as they closed within one point with less then a minute to go. After a Behrend time-out, La Roche attempted to stretch their lead at the foul line. But a hustling, scrappy Behrend defense forced a turnover as freshman John Park picked up a loose ball. Promptly after his steal Park was fouled, sending him to the foul line with 17 second's remaining. The freshman calmly drained both free throws to give the home team a one point lead. La Roche quickly got the ball down the floor putting pressure on the Behrend defense. Their strategy worked as George Williams was fouled with 12 seconds left in the game. After throwing a brick off the front of the rim on his first foul shot Williams made the second to send the contest into overtime. Dave BouloalCollegian Photographer Three-pointers by Brian Emick and Jason Paloskey gave the Lions an early lead. Andy Lawrence and Emick then went The Lions beat La Roche 66-57 on the seal the win at the foul line. Behrend shot 83 percent from the foul line on the evening. Their 24 free throws off-set a sub par shooting night from the floor. A balanced scoring attack allowed Behrend to gain its 12 win of the year and keep their play-off hopes alive. Senior Ron Derian led the offense with 15 points, Lawrence and Emick contributed 13 points apiece. One of the keys in the victory was Behrend's ability to rebound. The Lions grabbed an astonishing 52 rebounds compared to 24 for La Roche. Lawrence and Derian each reached double figures in boards with 11 and 10 respectively. Freshman Nate Wilson and Emick also added eight apiece for the victors. La Roche (131 1) was led by Williams who scored 24 points while grabbing six rebounds. The Lions' last home game is Feb. 26 against Pitt-Bradford. Behrend's victory was important both in the play-off picture and because the Lions were coming off of a disappointing performance Monday against Waynesburg. Monday's loss was especially upsetting becuase the Lions had defeated the Yellow Jackets just two days before. Waynesburg was able to avenge Friday's loss, that knocked them out of NCAA tournament contention. In Friday's game, the Lions came away with an incredible victory over the Yellow Jackets 75-72 in front of a slim crowd at Eric Hall. The Lions led all the way from es still alive It's good! Andy Lawrence makes one of his nine free throws in Behrend's overtime victory over La Roche. the 16 minute mark when they took the lead 6-5. During the rest of the half Behrend outscored the Yellow Jackets 25-9 to take a 31- 15 halftime lead. Midway through the second half, the Lions still led 58-46, but then Waynesburg went on the attack. They cut the lead quickly, and with just under three minutes to play they were within two points at 67-65. Paloskey hit four late free throws and Behrend held off a last second run by Waynesburg to secure the impressive 75-72 victory. Paloskey, battling both the flu and Yellow Jacket defense, lead the Lions with 21 points, Steven Hout added 15, and season high scorer Andy Lawrence had eleven. Behrend will continue their season Saturday when they travel to Elmira for another important contest. The Lions will return home for the last time this year February 26 when they face Pitt-Bradford. Mike Nies/Collegian Photographer Get up Hout! Junior Steve Hout steals the tip-off in Wednesd 's battle with La Roche. Mike Nies/Collegian Photographe
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