Box Score
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bell Scores 26 in Win Over Cheyney

MANSFIELD – Joe Bell and Charles Pemberton combined for 40 points, including a game-high 26 points by Bell, to lead Mansfield to a critical 67-64 win in a PSAC East contest Saturday afternoon on First Citizens Community Bank Court in Decker Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

The win gives Mansfield a modest two game winning-streak and keeps the Mountaineers playoff hopes alive, trailing both Millersville and Kutztown by just 1 ½ games.

"That win keeps us alive," said head coach Rich Miller. "We executed well in the second half. We went into halftime trailing by five and telling our guys we had to get the ball into to Joe (Bell) and Charles (Pemberton) and they responded to that."

Mansfield struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 36% from the floor and with Pemberton only getting off three shots.

The Mountaineers trailed 34-25 with just under four minutes before halftime, but held the Wolves scoreless for the remainder of the half to close to 34-29 going into the locker room.

Mansfield opened the second half with a quick 10-5 run, tying the game at 39-39 on a 3-pointer by Bell three minutes after intermission.

The two teams battled back and forth, exchanging baskets until a Pemberton layup with seven minutes left gave Mansfield its first lead of the half at 56-54.

Cheyney tied the game three more times before Mansfield took the lead for good at 59-58 on a free throw by Kenny Johnson with just over four minutes to go.

A layup by Bell extending the lead to 63-58 and solid defense by the Mountaineers forced Cheyney to go outside where the Wolves missed three 3-pointers over the final two minutes of the game.

Bell, who scored 16 of his points in the second half, also pulled down eight rebounds. It marks the third straight game Bell's scored 20 or more points. Pemberton had another monster game, scoring 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds while rejecting five shots, including two in the final five minutes. Charles Becoats added 12 points with Johnson chipping in with nine points.

Deshawn Curtis topped Cheyney with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Calvin Brown added a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards.

Mansfield travels to Millersville Wednesday for a key PSAC East matchup with the Marauders.