Box Score

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield Men Put Scare in No. 6 IUP

MANSFIELD – Joe Bell recorded a double-double and Mansfield gave undefeated and No. 6 ranked IUP one of its toughest test of the season, before dropping a 61-56 decision in a PSAC crossover contest Friday afternoon on First Citizens Community Bank Court at Decker Gymnasium.

It marked the first game for both teams since Dec. 21 and proved to be a brutal defensive battle.

Mansfield took a 8-4 lead early on a layup and ensuing free throw from senior Onyema Utti before IUP countered with a 13-0 run to take a 17-8 advantage seven minutes into the game.

The Crimson Hawks extended their lead to 24-10 on a free throw by Mathis Keita with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half.

Mansfield was held without a field goal for six minute span before Brady Burke scored on a layup, keyed by a Charles Pemberton blocked shot, to break the drought and pull to 24-14 with six minutes remaining before halftime.

The Mountaineers continued to chip away, closing the lead to seven points at 30-23 when Bell connected on a pair of free throws, but Brandon Norfleet hit a jumper with five seconds before intermission giving IUP a 32-23 halftime lead.

The second half proved much of the same as the first with the Crimson Hawks using a tough defense to rebuild the lead to 14 points at 44-30 on a 3-pointer by Devante Chance five minutes into the second half.

Mansfield stayed focused, chipping away at the lead and closing to single-digits on a jumper by Kevonte McClain with just under 12 minutes remaining.
A 3-pointer by Xavier Warner a minute later pulled the Mountaineers to 47-41 before Ryan Krawczeniuk hit a layup to cap off a 13-3 run at 47-43 midway through the half.

IUP countered again, extending the lead back to double-digits at 56-46 on a pair of free throws by Kalusha Ndoumbe Ngollo with six minutes to play.
Mansfield refused to fold, closing the gap to 56-51 on a Bell jumper with 2:40 left. Another Bell score made it a 58-54 game with 47 seconds remaining.
But IUP held on, getting a layup from Marcel Souberbielle and a pair of free throws to pull out the 61-56 win.

Mansfield held a 32-30 rebounding advantage and forced 21 IUP turnovers but the Mountaineers shot just 33.9% from the floor, including hitting on just three of eighteen 3-pointers.

Bell scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the second half and recorded his third double-double of the season with a game-high 10 rebounds to lead the Mountaineers. The junior forward moved past Bob Weinstein (1,133, 1968-71) and Stan Mahan (1,137, 1974-77) into 17th place on the all-time scoring list with 1,149 points.

Xavier Warner added 12 points with sophomore Brady Burke turning in a strong performance scoring eight points and pulling down four rebounds in a season-high 27 minutes of play.

Souberbielle led IUP with a game-high 18 points with Keita and Norfleet adding 13 points each.

Mansfield host Seton Hill Saturday afternoon.