WEST CHESTER – Brielle Kelly poured in a game-high 27 points, but West Chester overcame a late Mansfield lead to avoid the upset in an 82-72 thriller Saturday afternoon at Hollinger Fieldhouse.
 
The game was electric from the start as West Chester (9-10, 9-6 PSAC) raced out to a 12-5 lead over the first two-and-a-half minutes before holding a nine-point lead at the midway point of the first quarter. 3-pointers by Melanie Taylor and Steph Davis brought the game within two possessions. A Kelly Lay-up and Bella Ricci trifecta capped a 14-7 run to bring Mansfield (4-15, 2-13 PSAC) within two points at 24-22 with just over a minute to play in the first.
 
The Golden Rams held a 28-25 lead early in the second quarter, but a lay-up and two good free throws by Kelly gave Mansfield its first lead of the game. The Mountaineers held a four-point lead on three different occasions in the second before taking a 40-39 lead into halftime.
 
Mansfield scorched the Rams from distance in the first half, connecting on 53.8% (7-13) from 3-point to go along with 43.8% (14-32) shooting from the floor.
 
A Mary Kate Rumbaugh triple early in the second half gave Mansfield its biggest lead of the game at 47-42. However, West Chester countered with an 8-0 run to regain the lead. After a pair of lead changes, a Davis 3-pointer in the final minutes of the third gave the Mounties a 58-57 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Rams opened the fourth on a 7-0 run to jump out to a 64-58, but a Tianna Jackson trey and a Kelly jumper made it a one-point game. Another 8-0 run by West Chester would allow the Rams to build a cushion avoid the upset.
 
Kelly hit 10 field goals, including a 3-pointer, and went 6-7 from the free throw line to net a season-best 27 points. Ricci was a perfect 3-3 from distance on her way to 11 points and so was Davis who scored nine points. Jackson added eight points and Taylor six points.
 
Camden Boehner and Tori Smick combined to score 43 points for the Rams.
 
The Mountaineers' 12 3-pointers is the most since hitting 12 in a 73-67 loss at Goldey-Beacom on Dec. 20, 2006. Mansfield's 10 turnovers was the fewest all season.
 
Both sides benefited from red-hot shooting with West Chester hitting 57.7% (30-52) of field goals and 42.9% (6-14) of treys while Mansfield went 43.3% (26-60) from the floor and 48.0% (12-25) beyond the arc.
 
West Chester held a big 38-25 rebounding advantage in the game.
 
Mansfield returns home to First Citizens Community Bank Court at Decker Gymnasium on Wednesday for a two-game home stand that begins with Millersville.