Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Men's Basketball Team continued its winning streak, taking down United East foe Gallaudet University by a score of 81-68 on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The Lions (4-8 Overall, 3-2 UE) got an early jolt from Marquis Ferreira, who connected on a pair of early 3-pointers giving Berks a 6-4 advantage. The Bison (1-12 Overall, 1-4 UE) answered back, going on a 10-0 run to retake the lead. Luke Collins halted the run, drilling a long jump shot. Isaiah Cotten then slashed to the basket for a layup to pull the team within three points. Later in the half, Jaedon Mast found an open Josh Mingledolph on the wing for a 3-pointer to give Berks a 19-17 lead. The advantage was short-lived as Gallaudet rattled off seven-straight to recapture the lead. The Lions remained within striking distance, eventually leveling the score at 33 with 1:18 remaining in the opening half when Collins knocked down a deep 3-pointer. Gallaudet pulled back ahead with 10 seconds remaining in the half, but Cotten beat the buzzer with an off-balance wing 3-pointer to send Berks into the locker room with a 37-35 lead.

The teams traded the lead seven times in the opening six minutes of the second half with a lay up in transition by Cotten putting Berks ahead 48-47. Mingledolph took over the game, swishing multiple midrange jumpers, sparking a 14-5 run that put the Lions ahead by 11 with just over nine minutes remaining in the game. Collins continued his outstanding perimeter shooting, drilling another 3-pointer and Cotten turned defense into offense, with a steal and score pushing the lead to 14 points. Gallaudet tried to make a late push, going on a 6-0 run to close within eight points. Andre Ballard slammed the door shut, hitting his second 3-pointer of the half, recapturing the momentum for the Lions. Collins and Mingledolph converted several free throws down the stretch, securing the 81-68 victory.

The victory was the Lions four-straight win, matching the longest winning streak for the program in the last 12 years. Cotton had an incredible efficient outing, going 8-9 from the field, scoring 19 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals. Mingledolph was excellent from the field in the second half, racking up 19 points while hauling in a team high of five rebounds. Collins gave Berks a huge burst of the bench, finishing with 17 points and hitting three times from beyond the arc. Berks forced the Bison into 26 turnovers, directly leading to 31 key points.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will host St. Mary's College (MD) on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM.

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