its o cOrettO 0p0rt,46
ATHLETE OF
THE WEEK
Conley
gets MVP
at tip-off
tourney
SAMANTHA MYERS
staff writer
Behrend sophomore his
tory major Russ Conley, has
been named the Athlete of the
Week for his performance in
basketball.
Conley plays center for the
Behrend Lions. Conley start
ed playing basketball in the
seventh grade thanks to the
encouragement of his uncle.
"He always coached girls'
basketball and he would
come [to] visit and take me
shooting," said Conley. "He
taught me how to shoot and
refined any problems."
Conley started his career
playing baseball, his favorite
sport, until the ninth grade
when basketball became his
main priority.
Conley is from Trans
fer, Pa. and graduated from
Reynolds High School. When
asked about how he feels be
ing named "Athlete of the
Week" Conley said, "It's great.
If you play hard and smart, it
will happen eventually."
The last game Conley
played was against Medaille.
"We were up by 1 at half
23-24. Chris Saltzman num
ber 32 went off for 19 the
second half and led us to the
victory," said Conley. Conley
combined with Shane Skelly
to score 25 points. Conley was
able to capitalize on the pres
sure and score two attempts
from the charity stripe to ex
tend Behrend's lead to eight.
The Lions won this game 66-
62.
When asked why Conley
chose to play for Behrend,
he replied that the team was
good and he could learn and
get better from the coaches.
"They are always encour
aging everyone on the team
to be great academically.
Respect and hard work are
some of the things that both
coaches stress." This advice
has helped Conley most dur
ing the off-season when he
uses this time to practice and
refine his game.
Conley remembers his
high school basketball career
well. His most remembered
game was during his senior
year against Wilmington. It
See Conley on page B 2
Behr end
Steelers' fan base reaches way
past the Steel City. Full story
on Page B 4
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MEN START SEASON OFF HOT
Even with all the snow
that has hit Erie, the Beh
rend men's basketball team is
bringing the heat, starting the
season off hot with the best
record since the 2003-2004
season. With a 6-0 start, the
men have relied on a strong
core of returning players led
by captains, Chris Saltzman
and Justin Kovac.
Also the team has seen the
impact
games. The Lions have a
strong bench and have had
10 players see time in all six
games. With the ability to
move players around and
have confidence in the entire
lineup has allowed Behrend
to roll past most of their op
ponents.
"I realize looking back
when I was a freshman the
great job the senior class
did stepping up and tak
ing control of the team,"said
Saltzman. "This year our
practices are the staple of
our great play. Practices are
more competitive and we
push each other harder this
year than any other year."
Senior forward Saltzman,
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Behrend
Eric Dye / The Behrend Beacon
With the first win ever against Gannon in school history, Behrend
PSU FOOTBALL
Spartans spoil senior day, clinch bowl game
For eighteen seniors it was
their last time running out
of the Beaver Stadium tun
nel into the hollowed ground
where they have gone 22-4
the past four years. However,
a lackluster three quarters by
1111:44 1 ,4j , 1
ELESE MERKOVSKY
sports editor
of hav
ing back
Patrick
St. An
drews af
ter a knee
injury
last year
and 6'B"
freshman
Shane
Skelly
has seen
time in
all
starts the season of with confidence
CODY BUPP
staff writer
December 7 2010
Eric Dye / The Behrend Beacon
Junior Patrick St. Andrews drives to the hoop against Penn State Altoona. St. Andrews, Nick Thorsen, and Russ Conley all recorded 15
points in Saturdays game. The team started their season 6-0 with the best start since the 2003-2004 season.
who was named AMCC Play
er of the Week, and scored
a season high of 28 points
against conference opponent;
Medallic, where the lions
pulled off a tight win of 66-
62. He finished the past week
with a remarkable 20 points,
makes history against Gannon
the Nittany Lions led to a 28-
22 loss to the Spartans. The
Nittany Lions were able to
get into the Outback Bowl on
New Year's Day against Flor
ida though, even with their
mediocre 7-5 record.
Edwin Baker went to work
on the first drive, and the
vaunted Michigan State run
Li . l.k sii ulu,.il,id
Bear season may be over but
James Wade prepares you for
next year. Full story on Page
six rebounds, and two assists
per contest. Saltzman was
named AMCC Pre-Season
Player of the Year, and so far
he has proved his ability in
two conference wins so far
this year. The 6'3 forward has
the physical ability to drive to
For the first time in school history, the
Behrend men defeated Gannon 116-114. At
the Junker Center pool, it was a close race
throughout the entire meet but by the end,
Behrend proved to be the better team.
"It was a great win," said head coach Jen
Wallace. "Anytime we perform well against
a Division II scholarship program is a great
meet. To win is awesome. Considering we
have never been close before, that is just icing
on the cake. It sure makes me proud of my
team."
The Lions won eight of the 13 events. The
first event was the 200-yard medley relay. The
team consisted of Clay Altemose, Dane Dom
brosky, Andrew Opalewski, and Dane Dom
brosky. The team finished in a time of 1:40.63
to grab the lead right off bat, 13-4.
"I was ecstatic once I realized what we had
ning game produced the first
points of the game.
Then something that has
been uncharacteristic of Penn
State: two holding penalties
and a questionable screen
pass call on third down re
sulted in a Collin Wagner field
goal.
From that point on it was
Bottom
the hoop; but can hit shots all
around the perimeter. With
a combined 49 points with
sophomore center Russ Con
ley, the Lions captured the
Behrend Tip-Off Tournament.
"Our team realizes how
good we can be if we all stick
just done as a men's team," senior Ben Stunk
said. "This is the first time in ten years were
the men's team has even come close to in
points against Gannon, much less defeating
them. It is now evident that our program is go
ing somewhere, and hopefully will continue
with its growth."
KAELA BISHOP
senior reporter
Brendan Lacey had collected two individu
al wins during the night and took first place in
the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:47.12.
Gannon managed to get the edge after the
fourth event 37 - 36. Opalewski claimed sec
ond place in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.01
seconds just behind the Golden Knight's first
place winner.
"We still have room to improve on the finer
points throughout our races, such as turns,
starts and finishes," said. Strunk. "After all,
in swimming, that half a second lost can be
the
all Michigan State. Quarter
back Kirk Cousins had all day
in the pocket to find his tar
gets down the field as Penn
State's defensive line failed to
achieve any pressure.
It was the lack of the clas
sic Penn State defense that
hurt the most to fans, but
the offense began to sputter
Line
Wrap-up of the year for the
women's volleyball squad. Full
story on Page B 3
together," said Saltzman
"The mood of our team
this year is family and were
going to stick by that even
when things are not going
well."
See Behrend on page B 2
again shortly after.
On their first drive of the
second half once again there
was a questionable play on
third and short. Penn State
tried a reverse with Devon
Smith that resulted in a loss
of nine yards.
See Spartans on page B 2
VOLLEYBALL
See Men on page B 2