Buffalo, NY - The College Center Gymnasium was filled with intensity Saturday afternoon as the D'Youville Men's Basketball Team defeated the Penn State-Altoona Lions by the final score of 72-63.

D'Youville was held without a basket for the 3 minutes of the game, down 6-0 to begin the contest. Julian Reed (Cheektowaga, NY/Union-Endicott) scored the first basket for the Spartans, but was followed by back-to-back three-pointers from Matt Insley (Wellsville, NY/Wellsville) and Anthony Malone (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) to take an 8-6 lead. The two teams would play an even game from a majority of the first half, being within 4 points of one-another for about 13 minutes until Malone hit another three-pointer to give D'Youville a 33-26 lead with 3 minutes remaining. With 5 points in the final minute and a half of the first half, Reed gave the Spartans a 40-33 lead heading into halftime. 

Other than a Penn State-Altoona made three-pointer, neither team would score in the first 4 minutes of the second half. The Lions began to put on the offensive pressure, taking over the lead of the game the middle portion of the half. After a Jon Gemerek (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew) layup, Zach Blask (Portville, NY/Portville) drilled a three-pointer to give his team a 2 point lead. The next 11 points scored by D'Youville would belong to Reed, Blask and Nate Sweetman (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) as the team opened up a 68-63 lead with 3:06 remaining in the game. 

On the defensive end, two blocks from Reed and 1 from Sweetman in the final 2 minutes helped seal the game, as Gemerek and Malone each hit a free throw on the offensive end to lock in the win for D'Youville by the final score of 72-63.

"This was a big win for us," said fourth year Head Coach Earl Schunk. "We needed it to work out way back into the hunt for a playoff spot."

Jon Gemerek was all over the court for D'Youville. Scoring 11 points, dishing out a team high 7 assists and bringing in 3 rebounds, Gemerek did more than the stat sheet can record. Diving on the floor, competing for every loose ball and driving to the basket on a regular basis, the team's junior captain left it all on the floor and proved once again to be the engine that makes the team run.

"The key was our defense in both the half and full court," said Schunk. "We were able to force 23 turnovers and that offset our rebound disadvantage."

On the defensive end, Gemerek led the team with 6 steals. Conor Gallivan (Elma, NY/Iroquois) and Bayani Salinas (Antioch, CA/Antioch) both had 2 steals to help out the team's defense. Leading shot blocker, Julian Reed, added 7 Saturday afternoon as well as led the team in points with 19 and rebounds with 10. 

D'Youville made 50% of their three-pointers Saturday, and Coach Schunk contributed the team's ability to select good shots as a large reason for the win.

"Our shot selection was also greatly improved. Our best shooters were the ones that got the open looks. We also were able to find Julian in good spots."

Zach Blask, Marcus Clarke (Olean, NY/Archbishop Walsh Academy) and Matt Insley each made all the three-pointers they attempted. Anothony Malone made 2 of his 5 attempts. 

The men have won 2 of their last 3 league games and look to extend their recent hot play on Thursday, January 22nd against Penn State-Behrend in the College Center Gym. The game begins at 8:00pm following the women's game.