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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bell scores a game-high 30 points but Slippery Rock rallies late to down Mansfield 78-69

MANSFIELD – Joe Bell scored a game-high 30 points but Slippery Rock outscored Mansfield 8-0 over the last two minutes of the game to pull out a 78-69 win in a PSAC crossover contest Sunday afternoon in Decker Gymnasium.

Mansfield (1-3, 0-2 PSAC) took an early lead building a 15-6 advantage five minutes into the game on a 3-pointer by freshman Jaijay Williams. The Mountaineers would extend the lead to 26-12 on a Charles Becoats 3-pointer midway through the first half and led 41-32 at halftime.

Slippery Rock opened the second half with a 11-2 run to tie the score at 43-43 on a 3-pointer by John Bayardelle four minutes into the half and the two teams traded the lead back and forth over the over the next six minutes.

Mansfield used an 8-2 run midway through the second half to take a 61-55 lead on a jumper by junior Onyema Utti at the 7:16 mark but Slippery Rock countered with an 12-4 run, taking a 67-65 lead on a 3-pointer by Darious Clark with 2:44 to go.

The Mountaineers pulled to 70-69 on a free throw by Kevonte McClain with 1:53 remaining  but wouldn't score again as Slippery Rock sank 6-of-6 free throws over the last 32 seconds to hold on the for the win.

Mansfield held a slim 43-42 rebounding edge over a taller Slippery Rock team that was the leading rebounding team in the PSAC entering the game.

Bell had an exceptional game for the Mountaineers reaching the double-double milestone with nine minutes to play and ending the game with 30 points and 12 points.  Utti had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Slipper Rock (4-1, 2-0 PSAC) had five players in double-figures led by Darious Clark who came off the bench to score 17 points hitting five of The Rock's eight 3-pointers in the game. Devin Taylor had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Tabari Perry also added 14 points.

Mansfield will host Central Penn in the final home game of the first semester on Tuesday.