Baltimore, MD - The Penn St. Berks Men's Basketball Team fell to #6 Notre Dame of Maryland University in the first round of the United East Championship Tournament by a score of 88-73 on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Berks (7-17 Overall, 6-10 UE) got off to a slow start, falling behind the Gators (14-13 Overall, 10-6 UE) 9-2 in the opening three minutes. Andre Ballard tried to jump start the offense, muscling in a pair of layups. Marquis Ferreira began to heat up, drilling a 3-pointer and converting a layup to cut the deficit down three points. Ferreira then hit a jump shot, making the score 17-16 with 11:17 to go in the half. NDMU rattled off a 16-2 run, retaking a 15-point lead. Ferreira halted the run, converting a 3-point play to pull Berks back with 10 points. After Jaedon Mast finished a layup in the paint, Ferreira swished back-to-back 3-pointers to bring Berks within three points. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with the Gators holding a 42-37 lead at the break.

The Lions tried to find their footing in the second half with Kai Davis knocking down a jump shot to cut the deficit down to three. After a 7-2 run by the Gators, Ferreira swished a contested 3-pointer, drawing a foul and converting a four-point play. Berks could not pull any closer as the Gators rebuilt an 11-point lead midway through the half. Luke Collins and Mast hit 3-pointers trying to start rallies, but Berks could not get within striking distance, eventually falling by a score of 88-73.
Ferreira led the way scoring 28 points on 10-16 shooting, including hitting on six 3-pointers. Davis added 15 points, going 5-6 at the free throw line. Ballard scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his final college game. Josh Mingledolph led the Lions in rebounds, hauling in 11 loose balls.  

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