GREENSBURG, Pa:  Pitt-Greensburg's "big four" pumped in over 80% of its points as they earned an 82-72 home court victory over Penn State Altoona.

UPG improves to 12-6 on the season and remains in second place in the AMCC with a 9-2 mark.  Altoona drops to just 4-12 on the season and 3-9 in league play.

The "big four" for the Bobcats combined to score 67 of their 82 points, led by senior forward Rocco Contristano with 21 points.  Senior Marcus Thomas added his 9^th double-double of the season with 16 points while pulling down 15 rebounds.  Bobcats' sixth man Mike Connelly added 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting while Jerell Figueroa finished the night with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.

The Bobcats never trailed on the night as they came out of the gates on fire, opening the game on a 21-6 run mid-way through the first half.  UPG shot over 51% from the floor in the first half to grab a commanding 45-35 lead at the break.

The Lions hung tough in the second half, as they have in many conference games this season.  With under a minute to play Altoona actually cut the deficit to just 5 points at 77-72 but would get no closer as the Bobcat defense thwarted the potential threat and held on for a 10 point victory.

The Bobcats will take their 9-2 record into Bradford, Pa this weekend for a matchup with rival Pitt-Bradford.  UPG defeated the Panthers 79-72 in the previous matchup in Greensburg back on December 12^th.  Tip of for Saturday's contest is set for 1pm.

GAME NOTES:
-Mike Connelly's 138 career three pointers now moves him into 4^th place All-Time passing former Bobcat Josh Kucenic (2007-2011).  Connelly will have his work cut out for him to catch the 3^rd place Bobcat on the list, teammate Jerell Figueroa, who has 162 and counting.

-Marcus Thomas's 55 career blocks passes former Bobcat Clint Mullen (2002-2005) for 5^th on the All-Time list.  He is 7 away from catching former teammate Brian Heinle (2012-2015) for 4^th place on the list.

-Rocco Contristano now has 505 career rebounds which moves him up to 7^th place on the All-Time list, passing Heinle among the all-time greats in UPG men's basketball history.