WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Mansfield University men's basketball team (2-8, 1-5 PSAC) overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to knot the game at 68-68 with 30 seconds remaining, but West Chester University (8-4, 3-3 PSAC) knocked down a pair of free throws to close out a 70-68 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victory in their home areana on Wednesday night, Jan. 4.
Trailing 41-31 coming out of the break, the Mounties fell behind by as much as 14 points through the opening five minutes of the second half to trail 51-37 with 15:07 remaining.
However, after cutting the lead to single digits three times over the ensuing three minutes,
Michael Dickson drilled a trifecta at the 8:26 mark to ignite the Mounties on a 16-8 run over the final eight minutes to knot the game at 68-68 with 30 seconds to go.
A perfect trip at the line gave the Golden Rams a 70-68 advantage and the Mounties missed a jumper at the victory to fall just short of the heroric come-from-behind victory.
Dickson was a spark plug off the bench, matching a team-high 14 points, pulled in four rebounds, and dished out two assists in just 19 minutes of action.
Idris Ali continues the steller start to his sophomore season, matching Dickson with 14 points and six rebounds, while
Manir Waller rounded out the Mountaineers in double figures with 13 points, a team-high seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
Saraj Ali added eight points and five boards.
The Mounties shot 40 percent (26-of-60) from the floor, but were limited to 25 percent shooting from behind the arch (5-of-20). The Mounties, however, won the turnover battle 16-12, while outscoring West Chester's bench, 22-8.
Both teams took advantage of free points at the charity stripe, as the Mounties finished 15-of-20 and the Golden Rams at 18-of-25. West Chester won the battle of the glass 41-36.
For the Golden Rams, Kyle McGee scored a team-high 20 points, dished out four assists and pulled in four rebounds.
The Mounties remain on the road on Saturday, Jan. 7 and will travel to East Stroudsburg University for a PSAC 3 p.m. tip-off.
