Box Score
Photo Gallery
Miller Reaction to Winning #100

MANSFIELD – Charles Becoats topped four Mansfield players in double-figures with 18 points and head coach Rich Miller reached the 100 win milestone as the Mountaineers downed Cheyney 79-57 in a PSAC East contest Saturday afternoon in Decker Gymnasium.

“We needed a win,” said Miller downplaying his own significant milestone. “We've had some tough breaks in games lately and our guys work too hard during practice not for that to pay off. It was a good win for us in that sense and good to see guys produce, when they had the opportunity.”

Mansfield, which never trailed in the game, snapped a three-game losing streak with the win and Miller improved to 100-85 in seven seasons as head coach of the Mountaineers.

Mansfield led 8-6 six minutes into the game before going on a 25-7 run over the next nine minutes to take a 33-13 lead on a jumper with 4:42 left in the first half.

The Mountaineers increased the lead to 43-21 at halftime, shooting 51.6% from the floor while holding Cheyney to 25.9% over the first 20 minutes.

Mansfield extended its lead to 54-26 on a Chuck Harper jumper four minutes into the second half before coasting home for the win.

The Mountaineers shot 49% from the floor to Cheyney's 32.8% and outrebounded the Wolves 44-36.

Miller got strong play from the bench, including Becoats, who hit five 3-pointers and scored 16 of his team-best and career-high 18 points in the first half.

Joe Bell scored 14 points with eight rebounds, marking the 13th straight game in which the freshman has scored in double-figures. Chuck Harper added 13 points.

Miller becomes the fourth coach in Mountaineer men's basketball history to reach the 100-win milestone. Ed Wilson won 300 games, Tom Ackerman 127 and Bill Gibson 102.

“It's an honor to even have my name associated with coaches of that caliber,” said Miller. “I'm lucky, we've had good kids and Coach Mattern has been my assistant for all seven years along with my dad. If anything, that's what makes it special.”

Cheyney (3-19, 2-16 PSAC) playing without leading scorer Jason Sabb, was led by Deshawn Curtis with a game-high 19 points.

Mansfield improves to 8-14 overall and 5-13 in PSAC play. The Mountaineers host Bloomsburg on Wednesday.