Box Score

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield Drops 71-61 Decision to Rollins in Tangerine Tournament Opener

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Joe Bell scored a game-high 26 points, but it wouldn't be enough as the Mansfield University men's basketball team fell to host Rollins College 71-61 in the opening game of the Winter Park Rotary Tangerine Tournament Saturday afternoon at Warden Arena.

Bell was 10-of-16 from the field on his way to his second highest point total of the season. The sophomore forward also brought down eight boards in the game.

Senior Chuck Harper was the only other Mountaineer to hit double-figure scoring with 11 points while bringing down seven rebounds. Junior Charles Becoats and freshman Taijay Williams both chipped in seven points. Becoats dished out a game-high five assists.

Dave Diakite led Rollins with 23 points, going seven-of-nine from the floor while knocking down eight free throws. Kyle McClanahan added 17 points while Mitch Woods chipped in 11 points.

The Mountaineers shot 44.2% from the field (23-52) while Rollins was 50.0% (22-44) from the floor.

Mansfield (2-6, 1-4 PSAC) came out strong, leading by five points with just under five minutes into the game. The Mountaineers held a six-point advantage with 7:41 remaining in the first half, but Rollins went on a 14-2 run over a five-minute span to take a six-point lead of their own.

Rollins (8-1) held a 34-30 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, Mansfield closed within one point of the Tars at the 15:42 mark after a Williams lay-up and a Bell free throw. Mansfield held Rollins to a single digit lead until McClanahan hit a jumper with 7:30 remaining to put the Tars up by 10.

Rollins held their biggest lead of the game at 17 points with less than five to play, but the Mounties wouldn't go away easily as Tremaine Bowman hit two 3-pointers to spark a comeback. Mansfield closed within 10 point again, but didn't have enough time on the clock for the come-from-behind win.

The Mountaineers will play the winner of Flager College and Shaw University on Sunday Dec. 30.