Tom Smith layup
78
Winner Penn State Berks PSBM1112 9-13, 8-5 NEAC
73
Lancaster Bible LBCM1112 6-19, 4-10 NEAC
Winner
Penn State Berks PSBM1112
9-13, 8-5 NEAC
78
Final
73
Lancaster Bible LBCM1112
6-19, 4-10 NEAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Penn State Berks PSBM1112 46 32 78
Lancaster Bible LBCM1112 26 47 73

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Nittany Lions hold off Lancaster Bible rally to earn conference win

LANCASTER, PA (February 18, 2012) - Tom Smith gave a dominating performance and the Penn State Berks men's basketball team fended off a furious rally by Lancaster Bible College to earn a 78-73 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Most importantly on Saturday, the Nittany Lions (9-13, 8-5 NEAC) learned that they clinched a spot in the conference playoffs. By virtue of tiebreaker, Berks is guaranteed to finish no worse than the fifth and final playoff spot. If the Nittany Lions can win the season-finale tomorrow against Gallaudet University they will earn the No. 2 seed in the South Division.

The victory also gave the Nittany Lions a program-high five game win streak. The previous best was four consecutive wins in the 2008-09 season.

Berks led by as much as 16 points with 4:32 remaining in the game, but things got interesting after the Chargers (6-19, 4-10 NEAC) used a 14-3 run to cut their deficit to five in the final minute. Dontez Reid knocked down a pair of late free throws to give a little breathing room.

Smith had 22 points, which is one shy of his personal-best, after going a brilliant 10-for-10 shooting from the floor. Smith's perfect field goal percentage sets a school-record, surpassing Adrian Golston's .846% (11-of-13) against Penn State Harrisburg on February 16, 2008. The 10 baskets matched a career-high for Smith. The sophomore center also pulled in five rebounds and gave out four assists.

Jeff Schmidt recorded a double-double for the sixth time this season and third time in the last four games. He netted 13 points and a contest-high 10 rebounds. Reid and Connor Hough each chipped in 15 points to round out the Nittany Lions in double figures. Reid finished the game with six boards and six assists.

The Nittany Lions collectively shot 50.8% from the floor with the help of Smith, Hough (7-of-11) and Schmidt (6-of-12). They converted on 11 of their 15 trips to the foul line for a very efficient 73.3%. Berks also held a narrow 35-32 advantage over the Chargers in rebounds.

Keith Keltner led the Chargers with 17 points, followed by Madison Warfel's 16 and Benjamin Scott with 14. With 57 seconds remaining, Travis Weyandt recorded eight of his 10 points in a :37 second window.

The Nittany Lions season-finale against Gallaudet will tip-off at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Beaver Community Center.
 
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