Box Score

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Harper's late bucket leads Mansfield past Flagler 56-54

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Chuck Harper's lay-up in traffic with 30 seconds remaining in the game gave the Mountaineers what proved to be the game-winning basket to triumph over Flagler College in a 56-54 final at Warden Arena Sunday afternoon.

Harper led Mansfield (3-6) with a team-high 16 points while adding eight rebounds and four assists in the win. Sophomore Joe Bell recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 boards and extended his double-figure scoring streak to 26 games.

Freshman Tremaine Bowman came off the bench to knock down three trifectas on his way to nine points on the day.

Flagler's Ante Gospic and Adam Jones each netted a game-high 18 points. Gospic picked up a double-double with his 16 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards. Jones had just two points at the half, but was six-of-nine from the floor to total 16 second-half points.

Both teams had poor shooting performances in the game with Mansfield going 34.4% (22-64) from the field and the Saints shooting 37.8% (17-45). Mansfield, who leads the PSAC in 3-point FG defense, limited Flagler to just 8.3% (1-12) from beyond the arc.

The Mountaineers held a slight 56-54 rebounding advantage in the game.

Flagler capitalized on its free throw opportunities, going 82.6% (19-23) while Mansfield shot just 57.1% (8-14).

The first half featured four lead changes throughout the first 16 minutes. Mansfield used an 11-3 run over a three and a half minute period to lead by eight points with 33 second remaining in the half.

The Saints closed out the frame with a lay-up and two free throws to trail 30-26 at halftime.

Flagler tied the score on four different occasions, but the Mounties never surrendered their lead in the second half of play.

With just over two minutes remaining in the game, freshman Taijay Williams came up with a huge block underneath the opposing basket to prevent the Saints from equalizing the game. However, Flagler's Matt Clark hit both ends of a one-and-one to tie the game at 52-52 40 second later.

On the ensuing Mansfield possession, Harper brought down a critical offensive board and laid the ball in to put MU up by two points.

The Saints again tied the score on a pair of free throws, this time from Gospic, but Harper answered with the go-ahead bucket on the other end of the court to seal the victory.

Shaw University defeated host Rollins College 79-66 Sunday afternoon to claim the Winter Park Rotary Tangerine Tournament championship.

Bell was selected to the All-Tangerine Tournament team for his outstanding play over the weekend. Shaw's Karron Johnson was named tournament Most Outstanding Player.

The Mountaineers continue their seven-game road trip when they travel to Mercyhurst University on Friday, Jan. 4.