ERIE, Pa. – The Thiel College men's basketball team opened the season with a 81-62 loss on the road to the Penn State Behrend Nittany Lions Wednesday night.
The Lions opened up a quick 11-4 lead. However, the Tomcats were able to cut the deficit to 13-11, but that is as close as they would get.
Penn State Berend responded with a 12-6 run to get a 25-17 lead, and would coast from there.
Penn State Behrend was led by Matthew McDonough who recorded 22 points, including going 4-7 from three-point range. Tommy DiRienzo recorded a double-double, notching 19 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Marsh recorded nine points and 10 rebounds.
The Tomcats were led by senior forward
Rayshod Hooper (Baltimore, Md./St. Frances Academy) who recorded 14 points and eight rebounds.
Elijah Harden (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) and
Rudy Hyppolite (Lauderhill, Fla./Boyd Anderson) each recorded seven points apiece.
Marlon Ellerbee (Temple Hills, Md./Oxon Hill) recorded six points and two rebounds.
Khamari Accursio-Harris (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter) and
Jonah Biggers (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) both scored two points, the first points of their collegiate career.
The Tomcats are back in action this weekend when they compete in the Buzz Ridl Classis, hosted by Westminster. On Friday, Thiel will face Penn State Shenango at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Thiel will take on Carthage College at 4 p.m.
