Burggraf and Major on defense
85
Wells WELM 8-14, 7-8 NEAC
86
Winner Penn State Berks PSBM 6-15, 6-9 NEAC
Wells WELM
8-14, 7-8 NEAC
85
Final
86
Penn State Berks PSBM
6-15, 6-9 NEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wells WELM 38 47 85
Penn State Berks PSBM 48 38 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Burggraf leads Nittany Lions in rally over Wells

READING, PA (February 14, 2014) - Christian Burggraf scored seven points in the final minute to erase a six point deficit and Darren Major made a free throw with 0.5 seconds left as the Penn State Berks men's basketball team prevailed 86-85 over Wells College in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) contest on Friday evening at Beaver Community Center.

The Nittany Lions (6-15, 6-9 NEAC) kept their playoff hopes alive with the win. They currently are two games behind SUNY Cobleskill for the fifth and final playoff spot.

Berks took a 48-38 lead into the break and built 15-point cushion with 13:07 to go in the game. The Express responded by outscoring Berks 33-11 over the next 12 minutes for an eight point lead with 1:29. The Nittany Lions elected to foul down the stretch which worked out as Wells went 2-for-6 at the line.

With 16 seconds remaining in regulation, Burggraf took an inbound pass by J.C. Keaton, stepped back and knocked down a turn-around 3-pointer to tie the game at 85-all. On the ensuing inbound play, the Express were called for an offensive foul which gave Berks the final shot of the game. Major ran the clock down to three before breaking for the basket. His layup did not go, but an Express defender was called for hitting Major's arm.

The sophomore guard hit back iron with his first shot at the line. Major paced around to gather himself, when he got back to the line his second shot hit nothing but net and the crowd erupted. Wells got off a desperation 3-pointer from beyond midcourt, but it sailed high over the backboard. The crowd stormed the court as the Berks players cheered all around Burggraf and Major.

Burggraf went off for a career-high 31 points, which is tied for the fourth most in program history. He shot 11-of-14 from the floor and connect on all five of his shots from beyond the arc. The perfect shooting from 3-point range set the record for best percentage in a game with four or 3-pointers made.

Tom Smith recorded a double-double after dropping 22 points and grabbing 11 boards. The center, who will be honored tomorrow afternoon for Senior Day, is 19 points shy of breaking the all-time scoring record in program history.

Major added 17 points, while Dameon Nixon had 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

The Express had five players finish in double-figures. Jonathan Hurtado led the way with 21 points, followed by J.J. Walton with 19. Jordan Jean (14), Al Paul (12), and Shakeel Simmons (11) rounded out the top scorers.

The Nittany Lions will host Keuka College in their regular-season finale on Saturday, February 15 at 1 p.m.
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