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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Buzzer-Beater Sends Mansfield to 74-71 Opening Season Loss

MANSFIELD – Donte Gittens hit a 3-pointer from the corner as time expired to lead Franklin Pierce to a 74-71 win over Mansfield in the season opener for both teams Saturday afternoon in Decker Gymnasium.

Mansfield had rallied from seven points down with just over five minutes to play to tie the game at 71-71 on a layup by Joe Bell with just over 10 seconds to play. After a time out, Franklin Pierce, which was an NCAA Elite Eight team last season and returned four starters, tried to get the ball inside to Ryen Vilmont but the big man was denied a shot by a smothering Mountaineer defense.

Instead he dumped the ball of to Gittens who launched a 3-pointer from the left corner as time expired.

The game was both physical and evenly matched.

After trailing early, Mansfield took a 34-29 advantage on a free throw by newcomer Charles Pemberton with three minutes remaining in the first half.
Franklin Pierce rallied to close out the first half on a 10-0 run to take a 39-34 lead into halftime.

The Ravens extended that lead to 58-42 seven minutes into the second half before the Mountaineers started a slow but steady rally.

Midway through the second half, and trailing 62-50, Mansfield went on a 9-2 run over the next three minutes to pull to 64-59 on a layup by Onyema Utti with 6:28 remaining. Pemberton's layup two minutes closed the gap to two points at 66-64.

Franklin Pierce extended the lead to 71-66 on a layup by Vilmont with 1:33 to go but a layup and ensuing free throw by Joe Bell closed the score to 71-69 with just over a minute to play.

Senior Charles Becoats was money from the outside, hitting five 3-pointers and leading Mansfield in scoring with 24 points.

Pemberton, who fouled out with more than three minutes remaining, had an outstanding debut as a Mountaineer recording a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He also blocked four shots. Onyema Utti scored 12 points.

Both teams struggled from the free throw line with Mansfield connected on 12-of-24 attempts while Franklin Pierce hit just 12-of-26.
The Mountaineers had 42 rebounds to the Ravens 41.

Ellis Cooper and Vilmont each scored 21 points for Franklin Pierce.

Mansfield travels to LeMoyne next Saturday.