FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jackson's Clutch Free Throw Shooting Lifts Mounties Past Cheyney 59-53
 
CHEYNEY – Tianna Jackson connected on 10-of-11 free throws in the second half while Katie Fitzpatrick scored a game-high 20 points to lift visiting Mansfield past Cheyney 59-53 Saturday afternoon in a PSAC East contest at Cope Hall.
 
Brielle Kelly opened Mansfield's scoring with a pair of made free throws before Becky Evans knocked down a jumper to give the Mounties a 4-1 lead. Cheyney would use a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to lead 10-6.
 
The Wolves held their advantage of the game at 18-12 with 6:03 to play in the half. Fitzpatrick's 3-point play followed by a lay-up on an offensive board put Mansfield within one point at 18-17. Cheyney went into halftime with a 23-20 lead.
 
Mansfield opened the second half with back-to-back jumpers by Kelly and a Fiztpatrick lay-up to take a 26-23 lead. Cheyney tied the game with a trey, but after three lead changes, the Mountaineers regained the lead at 33-31 with 12:21 to play in the game.
 
Mansfield jumped out to a seven-point advantage at 38-31, but the Wolves went on a 7-2 run to close within two points. The Mountaineers built their lead up to eight points, the biggest margin of the game. Jackson connected on 9-of-10 free throws over the next three minutes to secure the victory.
 
Fitzpatrick had a solid all-around performance, recording 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Jackson hit double-figure scoring for the third straight game with 16 points while Kelly went 5-of-10 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the line to also register 16 points. Kelly was just shy of a double-double with nine boards.
 
TaKayla Ellis led Cheyney with 14 points while Aerie DeJesus came off the bench to score 12.
 
Mansfield held a 40-34 advantage on the boards.
 
The Mountaineers return home to host Millersville on Wednesday.