ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Mansfield Mountaineers men's basketball team (3-4) opened a three-game road stand, starting with Roberts Wesleyan (3-6) on Wednesday night, as the host defended their court, defeating the Mounties in a close 85-82 battle. 

Saraj Ali and Idris Ali combined for 38 points on the night, including 15 field goals from the brothers. S. Ali picked up his third double-double of the season. 

Michael Dickson dropped 11 points on the night. Gabe Perez stood out as the other Mountie in double figures with 10. 

An emphatic start pushed the Mounties out to an early 9-0 lead, with the Ali brothers collecting those points. The brothers combined for the first 13 points of the game for Mansfield.  

Over the next three minutes, the Redhawks erased the lead with a 15-4 run of their own to take their first lead of the game.  

The two teams battled back and forth, but the Mounties held a slight advantage throughout the first half, until a Redhawk three grabbed the 42-39 lead with just over a minute left and held a 45-42 margin going into the half. 

To start off the second half, the game remained close, but Roberts Wesleyan felt the momentum from the locker room by opening the game up to a double-digit lead, 69-58, midway through the final half.  

With a 78-68 advantage for Roberts Wesleyan, the Mountaineers built a quick 8-2 to bring the game within four.  

At 81-74, an I. Ali layup and a long range three from Perez brought the game to within two with two minutes left. A Redhawk basket pushed the hosts back up four at 83-79. 

Manir Waller hit a free throw and another I. Ali layup gave the Mounties a one-point deficit with 21 seconds remaining. 

Two final free throws and a long heave for a buzzer beater miracle closed the game out and Roberts Wesleyan earned the close 85-82 victory. 

UP NEXT: 
The Mounties will continue their road stand, returning to conference action on Monday, December 18 against IUP. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.