Michael Porter on defense
69
SUNY Cobleskill COBM1112 1-12, 1-3 NEAC
74
Winner Penn State Berks PSBM1112 2-9, 2-3 NEAC
SUNY Cobleskill COBM1112
1-12, 1-3 NEAC
69
Final
74
Penn State Berks PSBM1112
2-9, 2-3 NEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
SUNY Cobleskill COBM1112 30 39 69
Penn State Berks PSBM1112 41 33 74

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Nittany Lions hold off late charge by SUNY Cobleskill

READING, PA (January 15, 2012) - Five players finished in double-figures to help lead the Penn State Berks men's basketball team to a 74-69 victory over visiting SUNY Cobleskill in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) contest on Sunday afternoon.

The Nittany Lions (2-9, 2-3 NEAC South) led 41-30 at halftime and were up by as much as 12 points with 10:29 remaining in the contest. The Fighting Tigers (1-12, 1-3 NEAC North) cut their deficit to 1 point with 2:42 to go. But Berks converted 6-of-8 at the foul line down the stretch and got clutch baskets from Tom Smith and Jeff Schmidt.

Connor Hough went 6-of-9 from the floor to finish with a team-high 16 points. He hit all four of his free throws in the final minute to hold off the Fighting Tigers comeback bid. Michael Porter enjoyed the greatest performance of his young career with 15 points. The freshman guard knocked down two 3-pointers and took it strong to the hole with confidence.

Smith also finished the contest with 15 points on 7-of-15 shooting, but his strongest contribution was his rebounding. The sophomore recorded his third double-double of the season after he brought down 11 boards. Smith repeatedly gave the Nittany Lions a second chance as eight of his rebounds came on the offensive end.

As a team, the Nittany Lions dominated the rebounding battle by a 45-28 margin. Schmidt pulled down nine rebounds, six of which were on offense. Hough had a season-high eight boards to finish third on the squad.

Shawn Green (14 points) and Schmidt (11 points) rounded out the Berks players in double digits. Green had three of the Nittany Lions seven baskets from beyond the arc.

The most impressive of the teams 3-pointers came from Dontez Reid as time expired in the first half. All in one motion, Reid grabbed a loose ball from well beyond 3-point line, spun around to face the basket and launched the shot as the clock struck all zeros. The buzzer beater gave Berks an 11 point lead and confidence heading into the break.

The Fighting Tigers were led by Tarik Payton's 20 points. Alexis Nunez added 14 points and Brendan Doherty had 12. Clint Foster (11 points) and Dustin Van Lieu (10 points) rounded out the Tigers in double digits.

The Nittany Lions will travel to Penn State Abington for a NEAC tilt on Wednesday, January 18. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
 
Print Friendly Version