Burggraf 1,000
78
Wells WELM 6-9, 4-4 NEAC
81
Winner Penn State Berks PSBM 4-9, 4-3 NEAC
Wells WELM
6-9, 4-4 NEAC
78
Final
81
Penn State Berks PSBM
4-9, 4-3 NEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wells WELM 47 31 78
Penn State Berks PSBM 36 45 81

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Burggraf's big night keys Nittany Lions comeback

READING, PA - Christian Burggraf had a night to remember as he set several single game and career achievements, while also guiding the Penn State Berks men's basketball team to a thrilling comeback victory as the Nittany Lions defeated Wells College, 81-78, in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) contest on Thursday evening.

In one single shot, Burggraf netted the game-winner and recorded a personal-best for points scored in a game, while also tacking onto the school record for 3-pointers in a game. With 0:05 seconds left in regulation, the senior guard buried his eighth 3-pointer of the game and raised his point total to 37, but most importantly, it gave the Nittany Lions its largest lead of the game at three. The Express tried an off-balanced three in the waning seconds, but the shot rimmed out to secure the win for Berks.

The night began with everyone monitoring Burggraf's points as he entered 15 shy of becoming just the third member in school history to join the 1,000 career points club. Things did not look good as Burggraf started off the game 0-for-3. But the jitters got shaken off when Nelson Hine found Burggraf under the net on a fast break for an easy layup at the 15:27 mark of the opening half. Burggraf settled in from their and recorded his 1,000 point on a 3-pointer with 3:35 left until halftime.

The only problem was that Wells was also having no problem scoring during the opening half and took an 11 point lead into the intermission. From there things only got worse Berks as the Express opened up its lead to 66-49 with 9:38 left in the game after Rich Ross knocked down one of his three 3-pointers for the game.

Dameon Nixon and Baba Waples combined on an 11-2 to chip away at that 17 points deficit. Nixon, who got the comeback bid started with an old-fashion three point play, came through clutch in the second half as he tallied 13 of his 16 points. Nixon also enjoyed a career-high and single-game school record 13 assists, which now gives him eight of the top 10 single game assist records in program history.

James Feocco put Wells ahead by 10 points with 6:28 left in regulation and lead remained that way after multiple misses by both teams. Burggraf, who was held scoreless for the entire second half, was put to the line to shoot three after being fouled. He knocked down all three at the line which the start of a tear in which Burggraf tallied 17 of the Nittany Lions final 21 points in a stretch of 5 minutes, and 26 seconds.

Michael Aldridge made a layup on the ensuing possession to put Berks behind by five points with 5:00 to play. Ross responded with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to eight points for Wells. Burggraf hit a pair of 3's and two free throws, while Nixon added a layup to give Berks its first lead of the day at 78-76. Ross tied the game up at 78-all with a layup for his team-high 24th point of the game.

Burggraf missed a layup with 42 seconds remaining, and Ross missed an open 3-pointer with 14 seconds left and the ball was knocked out of bounds by Wells. Nixon got his record setting assist as Burggraf dialed in from long distance at the top of the arch with five seconds left.

Burggraf finished the game 11-of-21 from the floor, 8-of-12 from 3, and 7-for-7 at the foul line. In addition, he had four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Nixon recorded the third double-double of his career with the 16 points and 13 assists. Nixon is poised to become the next Nittany Lion to cross the 1,000 point plateau, as he has run his career total up to 971 points. Waples came off the bench to add 12 points, while Aldridge added a team-high 12 boards and personal best four steals.

The Express had four players score in double figures, led by Ross with 24. Feocco had 17 points and 14 boards, while Vaughndell Brantley chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds.

The Nittany Lions will host Keuka College in a NEAC contest on Friday, January 22 at 2 p.m.
 
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