MANSFIELD – Lock Haven's Jihad Barnes hit the game-tying lay-up with three seconds to play and teammate Matt Cerruti hit the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to deliver a heartbreaking 63-60 defeat to Mansfield Wednesday night at First Citizens Community bank Court at Decker Gymnasium.
 
The game tipped-off nearly an hour later than scheduled due to a power outage affecting the area.
 
The game started with four lead changes before Lock Haven (9-10, 6-8 PSAC) held a 9-5 advantage at the 13:17 mark. Mansfield (4-18, 1-14 PSAC) responded with a 15-3 run to jump out to an 18-12 advantage capped by an old-fashioned 3-point play by Tyler Moffe.
 
The game would see six more lead changes over the final six minutes of the half before the Bald Eagles used an 11-3 run to lead 34-28 at the break.
 
In the second half, Mansfield tied the game six different times before finally regaining the lead on a pair of Moffe free throws to put the Mounties up 43-42 with 12 minutes to play. Back-to-back lay-ups by Eli Alvin and Keith Farmer capped by a Garrett Cook trifecta gave the Mountaineers their biggest lead of the game at 51-42.
 
An 11-3 run brought Lock Haven within a point at 54-53 with just under five minutes remaining and the Eagles would tie the game with a little over a minute to play at 58-58.
 
Out of a timeout, Moffe put Mansfield back on top with a lay-up at the 1:04 mark. The Mountie defense came up big on the other end of the court with a defensive stop to regain possession with 45 seconds to play.
 
The Mounties missed a jumper, but Cook pulled down the offensive rebound with 16 seconds remaining and passed the ball off when Lock Haven immediately fouled, forcing a 1-and-1 free throw scenario. Mansfield could not take advantage and missed the first free throw as the Bald Eagles rebounded the ball with 11 seconds left.
 
Lock Haven went the full distance of the court and Barnes hit the game-tying lay-up with three seconds left and drew the foul. The go-ahead free throw missed, but the errant shot was collected and Cerruti nailed the game-winning trifecta as time expired.
 
Moffe led all scorers with 17 points to go along with seven assists and five rebounds. Taylor Sweeney added 11 points and eight boards with Eli Alvin recording his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Farmer was just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Cerruti posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Lock Haven. Jesse McPherson totaled 14 points with Christian Kelly recording 10 points.
 
Mansfield travels to East Stroudsburg on Saturday.