FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A Hole Too Deep – Mounties Can't Overcome Slow Start Despite Pemberton's Double-Double

RINDGE, NH – Charles Pemberton recorded a double-double and Mansfield made a remarkable second half run but the Mountaineers were never able to climb out of a deep first half hole in dropping a 94-81 decision to Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH Sunday afternoon.

Perhaps it was the effects of a 334 mile bus trip, but Mansfield could do little right and Franklin Pierce could do little wrong in the first 12 minutes of the game.

The Mountaineers, playing without starting point guard Thomas Moore, turned the ball over nine times in the first 12 minutes resulting in 19 Franklin Pierce (4-2) points. The Ravens held a 39-14 lead 11 minutes into the game and the 25 point advantage was too much for the Mountaineers to overcome.

Mansfield didn't shoot the ball badly, connecting on 50% of their first half attempts, but Franklin Pierce dialed in long-distance making a remarkable 9-of-18 3-point attempts and hitting 57% of their shots from the floor in the first half in building a 53-34 halftime advantage.

The Ravens Ryan Vilmont was unstoppable scoring 25 first half points, connecting on 9-14 from the floor including 7-12 on 3-point attempts before halftime.

Despite the lopsided halftime deficit, Mansfield didn't roll over.

The Mountaineers stormed out of the locker room, going on a remarkable 15-3 run over the first four minutes of the second half to pull to 56-49 on a 3-pointer by Kamil Parzych at the 15:45 mark.

Pemberton, who had scored 11 points in the first half, and Parzych each scored six points during the run and the Mountaineers cut it to a six point deficit at 58-52 on Parzych's third 3-pointer of the half a minute later.

But Jaleel Bell answered with a 3-pointer and jumper to push the lead back up to double-digits and Mansfield could pull no closer.

 Pemberton had a huge day connecting on 12-of-17 from the floor in scoring 27 points and pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds. The 27 points were the second-most in his career and he also dished out a career-high four assists.

Parzych came off the bench to score a career-best 16 points. Joe Bell, who ranked second in the PSAC averaging more than 18 points per game coming into the contest, was held scoreless in the game until hitting a free throw with just over six minutes remaining. Bell ended the day scoring seven points marking just the eighth time in 82 career games the senior has not scored in double-figures.

Vilmont led four Franklin Pierce players in double-figures with a game-high 33 points while also pulling down nine rebounds. Donte Gittens and Jaleel Bell scored 16 points each.

Mansfield falls to 4-2 overall and travels to Millersville Wednesday before returning home to Decker Gymnasium to host Lock Haven Saturday.