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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bell Scores 28 but Mounties Can't Dig Out of Deep Hole in Loss to Kutztown

MANSFIELD – Joe Bell recorded a double-double and scored a game-high 28 points but Mansfield could never climb out of a deep hole early in the game in dropping a 85-74 decision to Kutztown in a PSAC East contest Wednesday night on First Citizens Community Bank Court in Decker Gymnasium.

Mansfield got off to a horrid start, failing to score a field goal of the first seven minutes of the game in falling behind 19-2.

Despite a sluggish offense, the Mountaineer fought and clawed their way back into contention closing the gap to 40-33 on a Charles Becoats layup with two minutes remaining in the first half.

Mansfield made several runs in the second half but could never get closer than seven points including trailing 67-60 with just over three minutes to play.

The Mountaineers failed to establish their outside game throughout the game, connecting on just 5-of-28 three-point attempts.

Mansfield held a 40-35 advantage on the boards but turned the ball over 19 times to Kutztown's 13.

Bell, who scored 16 points in the first half, connected on 8-14 from the floor in recording his second double-double of the season by also pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds. The junior moved into 23rd place on the all-time scoring list with 1042 points surpassing Ian Connor (2001-04, 1031 points).

Becoats tied his career-high with 24 points and Charles Pemberton added 11 points.

Kutztown had all five starters score in double-figures led by Ryan Connolly and Tracy Peal with 18 points each.

Mansfield travels to Cheyney for a PSAC East matchup on Saturday.