FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Binghamton Holds off Mansfield in Preseason Exhibition

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – If Saturday's exhibition game with Division I Binghamton is any indication of what the 2014-15 basketball season holds in store for the Mansfield University men's basketball team, odds are its going to be a good year.

Mansfield gave Binghamton all it could handle, trailing the Division I Bobcats by one point with 80 seconds remaining before falling 66-60 at the Events Center Saturday afternoon.

Mansfield, which trailed by double-figures in the first half, closed the gap to 29-24 at halftime on a last minute spurt to end the half. The run was keyed by a late five point scoring burst from Kenny Johnson.

The halftime score was surprising considering three-time All-PSAC East selection Joe Bell was held scoreless through the first 20 minutes, missing all seven of his first half shots.

Bell finally got going, hitting the Mountaineer's first shot of the second half and pulled to 30-28 on a jumper by Ralik Wise two minutes into the second half.

But Binghamton countered with a 13-4 run over the next four minutes to increase its advantage to 43-32 on a pair of free throws by Romello Walker.

Wise keyed a 6-1 Mansfield run midway through, pulling to within 49-44 on a jumper by Bell.

The Mountaineer made it a one possession game with six minutes remaining when Kamil Parzych nailed a 3-pointer at 51-48 and made it a two point game at 57-55 when newcomer Andreas Katopodis hit the first of two free throws with 1:23 to go.

Charles Pemberton rebounded the second free throw and was fouled; making the first before missing the second as Binghamton clung to a 57-56 lead.

But a long 3-pointer by Willie Rodriguez with a minute remaining boosted the lead to four and proved insurmountable.

Mansfield enjoyed a 49-34 rebound advantage with Binghamton making 25 free throws to Mansfield's eight.

Pemberton led the Mountaineers with 12 points and nine rebounds while Bell, who also pulled down nine rebounds, added 10 points – all of them in the second half.

Wise had an impressive outing, scoring nine points and pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds. Parzych also scored nine points.

Marion Beck topped four players in double-figures for Binghamton with 16 points.