FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Slippery Rock Edges Mounties in PSAC Crossover
 
MANSFIELD – Tianna Jackson led four Mountaineers in double-figure scoring and Katie Fitzpatrick and Brielle Kelly registered double-doubles but visiting Slippery Rock edged out Mansfield 75-65 in a PSAC crossover at First Citizen's Community Bank Court at Decker Gymnasium.
 
Jackson connected on four field goals including three behind the arc and hit 8-of-10 from the free throw to score a team-high 19 points. Fitzpatrick recorded 16 points and 10 boards and Kelly added 14 points and 10 boards for Mansfield (1-11, 0-8 PSAC). Fitzpatrick also added five steals, five assists and a block.
 
Defending PSAC East and ECAC Division II Freshman of the Week Becky Evans was the fourth Mountaineer in double-digits with 12 points.
 
Jackson opened the game with a trey in a back-and-forth opening nine minutes that featured three lead changes and five ties. Slippery Rock (6-5, 2-5 PSAC) held at least a two-possession lead for much of the next three minutes, but the Mountaineers closed the lead to 26-24 after two good free throws by Jackson with 5:44 to play.
 
The Rock extended its lead to 31-24 over the next two-and-a-half minutes. However, Mansfield closed out the half on an 8-2 run to trail 33-32 into the break.
 
In the second half, The Rock built its lead up to two possessions again and maintained it for the next seven-and-a-half minutes before an Evans fast-break lay-up brought the game to 50-47 with 9:35 to play.
 
Over the next seven minutes, Mansfield brought its deficit to just one point on three different occasions, but was unable to get the go-ahead bucket to fall. Slippery Rock would hold on for the win.
 
The Rock held a 46-30 advantage on the glass and outshot MU 49.1% (26-53) to 30.2% (16-53). Mansfield recorded just 14 turnovers as a team and forced 10 of Slippery Rock's 25.
 
The Mounties host Edinboro tomorrow at 1 p.m.