FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mounties Can't Hold Second Half Lead in Loss to Lincoln

MANSFIELD – Freshman Da`Quan Jones scored a team-high 19 points and teammate Charles Pemberton added 16 points but it wouldn't be enough as Mansfield closed out 2014 with a 88-76 setback to Lincoln in a non-conference contest Sunday afternoon on First Citizens Community Bank Court in Decker Gymnasium.

Mansfield fell behind early, trailing 13-6 after the first five minutes of the game.

The Mountaineers rallied, using a 7-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 on a 3-pointer by Andres Katopodis. Mansfield took its first lead of the afternoon a minute later when a 3-pointer by Joe Bell to put the Mountaineers in front 16-15.

Mansfield extend the lead to 29-20 on a dunk by Kenny Johnson midway through the first half and would lead 35-22 on a tip-in by Pemberton with just under five minutes before halftime.

The Mountaineers led 46-38 at intermission and led by double-digits when a pair of free throws by Bell put them up 48-40 less than a minute into the second half.

Mansfield still held an eight point lead at 55-47 five minutes later when the bottom literally fell out. Following a basketball by Pemberton, Lincoln went on 10-0 run over a seven minute span to take a 67-57 advantage on a pair of free throws by Kyle Aiken at the 8:19 mark.

The Mountaineers could never mount a series challenge after that in suffering their fourth loss in a row.

Jones, who scored a career-high 19 points in a tough loss to California yesterday, matched that mark again today and also dished out four assists while recording two steals.

Pemberton hit 6-of-9 from the floor in scoring 16 points while Joe Bell added 13 points.

The Mountaineers were outrebounded 34-22 marking just the second time all season they have been outrebounded in a game.

Aiken scored a game-high 22 points to lead three Lincoln (7-4) players in double-figures.

Mansfield is off for holiday break for the next two weeks before returning to host Slippery Rock on Saturday, Jan. 3.