MANSFIELD, Pa. –
Manir Waller erupted for a career-high 20 points and
Saraj Ali tipped in a go-ahead layup with three seconds remaining to lead the Mansfield University men's basketball team to a 73-72 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victory over Kutztown University on Wednesday night, Jan. 18 inside Decker Gymnasium.
After holding the advantage since the 16-minute mark in the first half, the Mounties found themselves in a 72-71 hole with just 18 seconds remaining after KU capped off 6-0 run with a go-ahead 3-pointer.
Coming out of a timeout,
Michael Dickson drove to the hole and put up a nifty up-and-under that trickled off the rim and fell right into the hands of Ali, who connected on the put-back layup to give the Mounties a 73-72 lead with three seconds to go.
Kutztown heaved up a 50-footer at the buzzer and the Mounties held on for the win.
The Mounties led by as much as nine in the second period, but a 1-for-4 stretch at the charity stripe late in the game allowed the Golden Bears to hang around before taking the lead.
A day removed from his 21
st birthday, Waller said his only wish was for the Mounties to pick up a victory on Wednesday night. The junior did not disappoint, pouring in a game-high 20 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, while grabbing a tie for the team lead in rebounds with seven. Waller also plucked two steals and knocked down two shots from behind the arch.
Ali's game-winner moved his point total to 14 to go with seven rebounds and two assists.
Scott Woodring knocked down a pair of triples on his way to 12 points and five rebounds, while
Jordan Montgomery rounded out the Mounties in double-figures with 10 points off the bench.
Neither team could create separation in the first half, featuring eight lead changes and five ties, before the Mounties took control during the closing two minutes with a 7-2 run to carry a 34-31 lead into the break.
The Golden Bears outshot the Mounties from the floor on the night, finishing at 48 percent (27-of-56) compared to the Mounties 42 percent (28-of-67), however, MU knocked down six more shots from behind the arch, while holding a 15-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Mansfield also held a plus-2 advantage in rebounds and a minus-four advantage in turnovers.
For the Golden Bears, Kyree Generett scored a team-high 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting, while dishing out eight assists.
The Mounties return to Decker Gym on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 21 for a 3 p.m. PSAC showdown with Eastern Division foe Shepherd University.
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