Page 8 - The Behrend College Collegian Thursday, February 27,1997 Lions drill Panthers Paloskey's three with 0:02 left saves Behrend by Brian Gregory Sports Editor If you love basketball, then last ' night's Behrend Lion basketball game was one for you. Perhaps the East County game of the year took place last night within the friendly confines of Erie Hall. Pin-Bradford returned to Erie Hall where they lost last year in the Hamot Classic as Jason Paloskey was fouled with no time on the clock and hit two of three free throws to down the Panthers. This year JP was once agin the hero. With 0:06 left on the clock and the Lions trailing 52-49, Behrend inbounded the ball to Paloskey. He broke through a double team and got off a three. SWOOSH!!!! JP had tied the game with two ticks on the clock. The game went to overtime where the Lions won 61 -56. "People stepped up tonight," said Head Coach Dave Niland. "It was a really exciting game...the guys gave a tremendous effort" The Lions controlled the tempo and the scoreboard for the first half of the first half. Pitt-Bradford finally took the lead 17-16 with eight and a half minutes to go. But Paloskey's three sparked the Lions on a 14-5 run over the rest of the half to take a 30-22 lead at the break. The Panthers were also distracted by the persistant crying and whining of their head coach in the minutes before halftime. He would> get a technical later in the second) half. Andy Lawrence had eight points, and Paloskey added seven to pace the Lions in the first half. Behrend got the first basket of the second half, but Pitt-Bradford sconxl the next seven to pull within 32-29 withunder 17:00 to play. Behrend and Pitt-Bradfoni spent the next ten minutes trading baskets, but] Lion by Brian Gregory Sports Editor The Penn State-Behrend Baseball program is eager for spring competition to begin. Under first year head coach Paul Benim, the 1996 squad won 16 games--the most victories since becoming an NCAA Division m school. Seven returners anchor a new roster that includes a junior college transfer and 13 freshmen. The Behrend Lions will be led by seniors Quinn McGuire and Bill Vitron. McGuire, who broke former major league standout and Behrend star Tom Lawless' stolen base record, will bat lead-off and kickstart the squad. McGuire earned national recognition by stealing 30 bases out of 33 attempts in 1996. Vitron, a career .375 hitter, will play first base and serve as the designated hitter. "We are looking forward to the challenge," says Vitron. "We return a good nucleus that has mixed well with the recruiting class." Junior Marc Burchanowski will start for the third consecutive year behind the plate. Last season, he hit .302 and led the team with 17 walks. Burchanowski will also be utilized as a relief pitcher. "Quinn, Bill and Marc are as good as any players at the Division 111 level," says Benim. "They are very skilled players who will lead us through one of the most exciting seasons in College history. Other key players include four sophomores -- Ben Hager, Jeff Horstman, Jon Green and John Ronan. Hager, Horstman and Green played in 31 or more games last season, while Ronan threw the second most innings on the staff. Hager hit .279 with 14 RBl's a year ago. Horstman hit just under .300 with two home runs, 18 runs scored, 13 RBl's and 10 stolen bases. Green was second on the team with 13 base on balls. He also scored 14 runs and stole I I bases. He made just three errors in 80 chances last Behrend didn't lead by any more than three in the period. Pitt-Bradford received a spark after a time out and took the lead 48-47 with just over 2:40 to play. With under two minutes to play the Panthers held their biggest lead of the game 50-47. Nate Willson pulled the Lions within one with two free throws with 1:34 to go. Pitt-Bradford took the 52-49 advantage with :13 seconds to play and Behrend called the timeout with six ticks left. Enter JP. His three fired up the almost 200 fans in attendance and Behrend had a definate edge going into the extra stanza. "We had Lawrence and Paloskey coming off of screens so (Pitt- Bradford) couldn't switch up," said Niland of the play they designed in that huddle. "He got a look and it went in." The Lions outscored the Panthers 9-4 in the extra period. Ron Derian hit a turn around jumper in the key to give Behrend a lead 57-56 with :41 to go. Nate Willson hit two free throws to expand the lead to 59-56 and Paloskey put the game out of reach with two more with seven seconds to go as Behrend won 61-56. Above the cheers and roars of the crowd, you could here Pitt- Bradford's coach slam his clipboard against the bleachers and walk off the court, again. ""I thought we really played a great basketball game," said Niland of his team's victory. "Peopile (who came to the game) saw how hard we play...it was a tremendous effort." Lawrence finished with seven, and Paloskey led all Lion shooters with sixteen. Nate Willson threw in eleven and Ron Derian had eight, including four in the overtime period to help the Lions be triumphant. Last week on Saturday the Lions sgot their thirteenth win of the Baseba season. Ronan led the pitching staff with a 4-2 mark and a 3.15 ERA in 1996. Outside of Ronan and Burchanowski, the entire pitching staff will start new collegiate careers at Penn State-Behrend. Shawn McKlveen is a junior college transfer from Penn State- Beaver who was 2-0 with four saves last season. McKlveen struck out 28 hitters in 28 innings pitched and may move from a relief position to a starting role with the Behrend Lions. Eight other freshmen will take the mound. Ryan Fredirick, Bryan Connolly and Shawn Headley will all compete for spots in the starting rotation. Eric Bayless, Rob Green, Jeremy Brubaker, Coery Walters and Justin Kline give depth to the pitching staff. "We have several talented pitchers who will contribute this season," said Benim. "We are excited about the improvement in our pitching staff. Last year our team ERA was above five. However, with our improved depth and the addition of pitching coach, Matt Palisin, we are going to be better on the hill." Burchanowski will start behind the plate for the Behrend Lions. Last season, Burchanowski threw out 41% of runners attempting to steal. As Burchanowski pitches more this season, the back-up catching duties will be carried out by freshman Dylan Stewart. Horstman, who will play as a starter at first base and DH will also see time as a reserve catcher. The infield will have several new faces. Trey Stork will challenge Jun Green for playing time at second b;,se and may push for time at third base. Curt rough and David Williams will provide solid defense at shortstop. First base is locked up by Vitron and Horstman. However, left handed Headley may also see time there. In addition, Frederick and Rob Green may use their strong arms at third when they are not pitching. season, beating Elmira 66-63 of the road. Lawrence led Behrend with sixteen and Willson pulled down eight boards. "This was a very significant road victory," said Niland. "We got a great effort from everyone on the team." Niland continued, "We were up twelve at the half...and they pressed and then led by three...We were able to win the game... Our guys all year have not quit." The Lions sit at 14-10 with one game remaining. A victory should almost secure them of a playoff appearance either in the NCAA's or the ECAC's. Niland likes the chances. "We play pretty good basketball, and we are more than worthy of making the playoffs, he said. "We're taking it one game, one practice at a time. Michael Thompson, Brubaker, Connolly and Walters will seek time in left and right field as McGuire secures center field. In addition, an experienced Hager will work to hold his position in right. "Our outfield is going to be a major part of our offensive attack. These six can hit for an average, steal bases, and chase down balls in the gap," said assistant coach Bill Graham. The Behrend Lions will play a strong Division 111 schedule in the upcoming 1997 season. They open spring training with a ten game tournament schedule at the Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. After returning North, they will battle Dennison, Ohio Wesleyan and Capital at a tournament in Columbus, Ohio on March 21-23rd. Other highlights include a double dip with national power Allegheny College and two with former ECAC champions. Bethany College. "We have prepared a very good 44 game division 111 schedule," said Benim. "Our players have worked real hard and are focused on having one of the best seasons in college history. The 1997 schedule will certainly test us." In the coming years, the Behrend Lions will play tournaments in Florida and Tennessee. In addition, Penn State-Behrend has become a charter member of the Allegheny Mountain collegiate Conference, a new NCAA Division 11l conference which includes schools from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland. Play begins in the new conference in 1997.98 Sports Quiz Answers 1. an illegal motion by the pitcher, 2. a forfeited game is one declared ended by the umpire in chief in favor of the offended team by a score of 9-0 for violation of the rules; the umpire can declare a forfeit for a violation of any rule in the book; 3. the Boston Bruins; 4. Bjorn Borg; 5. 12 strikes make up a perfect 300 game; 6. Jim Brown; 7. the Green Bay Packers; — Off* King Features Syad. 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