Final Minute Turnovers Doom Mounties in 60-56 Setback

MANSFIELD – Sometimes basketball just doesn't make sense.

Mansfield turned the ball over three times in the final 30 seconds and Joe Bell scored a career-low 2 points on Joe Bell Night as the Mountaineers suffered a tough 60-56 PSAC East loss to Millersville Wednesday night on First Citizens Community Bank Court at Decker Gymnasium.

It was a disappointing loss for the Mountaineers who fought their way back from a 48-39 deficit with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game to take a 56-55 advantage on a Charles Pemberton layup with 58 second left to play.

Millersville retook the lead at 57-56 sixteen seconds later on a layup by Anthony Moe but three straight Mountaineer turnovers on their next three possessions doomed any chance of regaining the lead.

Even with the three turnovers, Mansfield still had a chance to at least tie the game with under five seconds to play but Millersville's Eddie Canter hit one of two free throws with three second left giving the Marauders a four point advantage and sealing the win.

Thomas Moore scored a game-high 20 points and Charles Pemberton added 14 points along with eight rebounds for Mansfield. Senior Joe Bell, who was honored in a pregame ceremony for becoming the Mountaineers all-time point leader, was held to a career-tying low of two points marking the first time since the third game of his freshman year he was held to that few points.

Moe topped four Millersville players in double-figures with 13 points and also pulled down a game-best nine rebounds.

The loss extends Mansfield's season-high losing streak to five games and puts them a game and a half behind Lock Haven for the sixth and final PSAC East playoff spot.
Mansfield travels to Lock Haven on Saturday.