MANSFIELD – Senior
Reilly Collins scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Mansfield University men's basketball team, but Kutztown University overcame a first-half deficit to escape Decker Gymnasium with an 85-76 PSAC East victory on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22.
Graduating seniors
Garrett Cook,
Trevor English,
Reilly Collins,
Tyler Moffe,
Mike Rell and
Jahmir Green were recognized before the game for their contributions to the program.
Collins was 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from three on his career afternoon to lead the Mounties (6-20, 5-16 PSAC). Cook also knocked down four trifectas, totaling 14 points. English finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, Rell dished out a team-high five assists and junior
Eli Alvin netted 10 points.
After trailing since the opening tip, Kutztown (11-15, 9-11 PSAC) opened the second half 5-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-3 at the line to take their first lead of the game, 47-44 at the 15:31 mark. The Mounties remained within a basket over the ensuing three minutes, until a trifecta from Sweeney and a transition layup by Alvin knotted the game at 54 with 10:35 to go. However, the Golden Bears connected on three consecutive triples to bump the lead back to 63-54.
The Golden Bears led 67-57 with 6:27 to go and consistently remained ahead by double-figures for the remainder of the game. The Mounties shot a season-best 30-of-52 from the floor (58 percent), but the Golden Bears forced 19 Mansfield turnovers and made 15 more shots at the charity stripe. Collins netted a put-back layup to make it 78-71 in the closing minutes, but Kutztown continued to make their free throws down the stretch to put the game away.
Wesley Butler led all scorers with 33 points on 10-of-14 shooting and 8-of-8 from the line for Kutztown.
Mansfield was on fire from the field in the first half and carried a 39-28 lead into the break. The Mounties had their best shooting half of the season, going 16-of-24 (70 percent) from the floor and 6-of-10 from three. Collins was 4-of-4 from deep and combined with Cook to knock down six trifectas. Collins led all scorers with 16 points at the half.
The Mounties close the season by traveling to Shepherd University at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29.
