DOYLESTOWN (Pa.) – The Delaware Valley University men's basketball team outscored visiting Penn State Berks, 44-18, in the second half to erase a 15-point deficit and pull away with a, 77-66, non-conference victory in the 2019-20 season opener.

It is the second consecutive opening-game victory for the Aggies and the third in four years under head coach Mark Seidenburg.

The Lions scored the first five points of this game and eventually led by seven, 16-9, after Anthony McFall hit his third 3-pointer of the game just over five minutes in.

Junior transfer Ed Jones scored the next five points for DelVal, including an and-1 conversion, to will his team within two.

It remained at two-point game, 25-23, with just under eight minutes left before Penn State Berks went on a 23-10 run to close the first half and take a 48-33 lead into the locker room. Jeff Lorah highlighted the spurt with three straight treys. He finished the half 5-for-7 from deep for 15 points.

As a team, the Lions were 17-of-36 (47.2%) from the field and 9-for-21 (42.9%) from three, in the first half. Conversely, DelVal made 11-of-29 (37.9%) from the field and just 1-of-5 (20%) from beyond the arc.   

The two squads traded treys to start the second half, but the Aggies ripped off the next seven points to cut the deficit to single digits, 51-43. Returning all-conference forward Damian Washington had nine of the first 10 points to start the stanza.

Penn State grew its lead back to 10, 58-48, with 11:25 still to play in regulation, but DelVal turned it up down the stretch and outscored the Lions, 29-8, the rest of the way to complete the comeback and earn a 1-0 start to the season with the 77-66 triumph. DelVal did find itself trailing, 64-61, with just under six minutes left, but a Jordan Tucker and-1 conversion tied the game, and his layup on the next possession put the squad on top for good.

Six different players contributed on the score sheet down the stretch for the Aggies, led by seven from senior Mike Cianciulli. Washington had 13 points and three steals in the second half including one monster steal and dunk late in the game. He finished the game 5-for-6 from the field and 2-for-3 from deep for 16 points, a team-high eight boards, and added two blocks. Junior transfer Jordan Tucker led the team with 19 points and three assists to go with seven rebounds two steals and a blocked shot. Another transfer, Devin Hill, notched 13 points and two assists in his debut with the Green and Gold. Chianciulli finished with 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

As a team, DelVal finished the game 23-for-64 (35.9%) from the field and 13-for-41 (31.7%) from deep.

The Lions finished the game 23-of-64 (35.9%) from the field and 13-for-41 (31.7%) from three point land. Lorah's 24 points led the way as he finished the day with eight treys and added seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots. RJ Dixon followed with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists and McFall finished with 10 points.