GREENSBURG, Pa. – On Tuesday night, the Mansfield Mountaineers men's basketball team (3-6, 1-3 PSAC) finished off their three-game road streak in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East-West crossover action against Seton Hill (7-3, 2-2 PSAC). The Griffins came out on top, using their home-court advantage to earn the late 74-70 victory, after scoring the last 12 points of the contest. 

On the night, the Mounties shot the ball well, posting a 51.7% from the field. 

Saraj Ali posted his fourth double-double of the season, recording 23 points and 12 rebounds.  

Michael Dickson posted 14 points and nine rebounds on the night. 

Five lead changes through the first eight minutes kept the crossover close to start as the Griffins held a slight 14-12 advantage. 

The Mounties retook the lead at 23-22 and push their lead to 26-24 behind nine straight points from S. Ali at the 7:33 mark remaining in the first half.  

Nine points in just over two minutes helped Seton Hill retake the lead at 33-32, but Mansfield was on top, holding a 41-36 mark heading into the locker rooms. 

A big key for the Mounties in the first half came from their ability to finish, creating 15 second chance points, while shooting 52.8% from the field. 

In the second half, a quick start for the Griffins tied the game back up at 43.  

Back and forth lead changes happened over the next minutes until six straight points by Dickson, a part of a 9-2 run, gave Mansfield the 55-49 advantage. 

With seven minutes remaining in the contest, the Griffins were able to claw back to within three, but the Mounties still held a slim 61-58 lead. 

After an Idris Ali three pointer, Mansfield looked poised to steal the road victory, leading 70-62 with under five minutes remaining.  

12 unanswered points by Seton Hill helped the host to capitalize in the close crossover clash and earn the 74-70 victory.  

UP NEXT: 
The Mounties return to Decker Gymnasium on December 30 to face No. 6 California (Pa.) in another crossover contest. The 7:30 p.m. tip-off will take place as the final athletic contest of the year.