The Behrend beacon. (Erie, Pa.) 1998-current, December 07, 2010, Image 15
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 hvi4 , Kll-1:liVV040:1i4i4 0 1 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, IlLiALidaitidili.Lid 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