Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Men's Basketball Team earned its first win of the season, defeating local conference foe Lancaster Bible College by a score of 86-85 on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The Lions (1-8 Overall, 1-2 UE) got off to a fast start, taking a 7-2 lead behind five early points from Marquis Ferreira. Josh Mingledolph continued to power the Lions offense, converting a layup on the break to keep Berks ahead by four. The Chargers (4-4 Overall, 2-1 UE) fought back, leveling the score at 13 with 12:37 remaining in the opening half. Kai Davis put Berks back in front, knocking down a jump shot. The teams began to trade the lead back-and-forth with Mingledolph hitting a 3-pointer to put the Lions ahead 22-21. The teams continued to blows resulting in 20 lead changes. LBC used a 7-2 run late in the half to take a five-point lead with 1:49 remaining in the half. Davis halted the run, finishing an acrobatic layup to cut the deficit down to three. Andre Ballard added one more layup in the closing seconds of the half, making the score 41-40 at the break.

Berks recaptured the lead early in the second half. Jaedon Mast started a run, finishing a layup to bring the Lions within two. On the next possession, Ferreira drilled a 3-pointer, putting the Lions in front. A few possessions later, Ballard hit his first 3-pointer of the game and then finished a layup on the next trip down the floor to put Berks ahead by five. The Lions remained ahead, fending off several pushes by LBC. Luke Collins and Ferreira each hit jump shots to keep the Lions ahead by five. The Lions capitalized on foul trouble by LBC, hitting several free throws to remain ahead. LBC surged ahead, by one point, but Ferreira answered immediately hitting another 3-pointer to put Berks ahead. The teams once again traded the lead back-and-forth eventually being knotted at 68. LBC surged ahead, going on a 6-0 run to take their largest lead of the half. Ballard stopped the run, finishing a layup in traffic. Ferreira drilled a 3-pointer to slash the deficit down to one. Moments later, Davis hit a 3-pointer from the corner to level the score at 76. The Chargers retook the lead momentarily, but Ferreira hit another 3-pointer in the corner to put Berks back in front. The 3-point flurry continued; this time it was Ballard connecting from beyond the arc to put Berks ahead 82-80. LBC once again tied the score, and like they had all game, the Lions answered, this time it was Davis who scored in the paint to make the score 84-82 with :42 seconds remaining. The Chargers made one last push and held a one-point advantage with :31 seconds on the clock. Berks need a clutch basket, so they turned to Ballard, who drew a foul on layup attempt to go to the free throw line with a chance to give Berks the lead. He swished both free throw attempts, leaving only nine seconds on the clock. The Chargers had a shot at the buzzer to win the game, but Berks turned them away, securing the 86-85 victory.

Ballard led the Lions in scoring, racking up 23 points, on 8-10 shooting from the floor. Ferreira was a force from beyond the arc, going 5-8 and finishing the game with 21 points. Davis posted a double-double, scoring 11 points and collecting 10 rebounds. Mingledolph also reached double figures, scoring 11 points.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will close the semester by taking on Penn St. Schuylkill on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

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