PITTSBURGH, Pa. - As per the usual, La Roche men's basketball and Penn State Behrend battled it out in war to open AMCC play on Wednesday night, but it was the Lions wh otook round one in 2025, 75-71.

The first half was a defensive slugfest, as neither team was having success on the offensive end and through the first 10 minutes of play, the score sat at 14-12 in favor of the Redhawks.

The pesky defense continued in the back half of the first 20 minutes, but the narrative flipped in favor of Behrend, taking a 27-22 lead into the half.

Over the first five minutes of the second half, La Roche still saw itself behind by five points, 40-35, but the tides really turned over the next 4:30 of play, as a 17-3 charge by the Lions opened up a 57-38 lead.

You couldn't count the Redhawks out, as the next seven minute stretch was a full on rally by the red and white, outscoring Behrend, 26-8 and saw themselves right back in it at 64-63.

Both teams would trade baskets down the stretch and down 73-71 with 13 seconds to go, a block by Behrend on the potential game-tying shot, led to the clinching free-throws and the Lions survived the La Roche comeback effort.

On the night, the Redhawks shot 27-for-50 from the floor (54%), 6-for-14 from three (42.9%) and 11-for-16 from the foul line (68.8%).

Behrend ended the game shooting 54.5% (30-for-55), 23.5% from deep (4-for-17) and 11-for 18 at the free-throw stripe (61.1%).

Major Rainey led the way for La Roche, netting 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, followed by Bryce Epps who scored all 16 points in the second half, while adding five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.

Logan Golle joined in double figures with 12 points, while Cooper Rankin also provided 10 points.

La Roche looks to take one of two on the week, as they travel to Alfred State for a 4 pm tip on Saturday, Dec. 6.