Box Score
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mounties falter in second half in 77-66 setback to division-leading Kutztown
Box Score

KUTZTOWN – Mansfield's Joe Bell scored a game-high 20 points but division-leading Kutztown used a strong second half to move past Mansfield 77-66 in a PSAC East contest Wednesday night at Keystone Hall.

Bell, who became the first Mountaineer freshman to score more than 400 points in a season since Bill McNeil scored 502 points in 2003, scored in double-figures for the 16th straight game.

The two teams traded the lead early until Kutztown built an advantage midway through the first half.

Mansfield (9-16, 6-15 PSAC) trailed 30-19 with just over six minutes remaining in the first half before the Mountaineers used a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to take at 31-30 lead on a layup by Bell.

Kutztown (17-8, 14-7 PSAC) recovered an held a 37-34 advantage at halftime and then went on a 8-2 run over the first two minutes of the second half to build its lead to 45-38. The Golden Bears would continue to pull away, taking a double-digit advantage at 63-51 with seven minutes to play and Mansfield never threatened again.

Bell, who was whistled for three first half fouls but none in the second half, connected on 9-of-16 from the floor and also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. He now has 410 points on the season. Kyle Bradley added 13 points and Chuck Harper 12 for the Mountaineers.

Nate Edwards led Kutztown with 20 points and Micah Fraction added 19. Eric Brennan recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Mansfield will close out the 2012 season when the Mountaineers host West Chester this Saturday