MANSFIELD, Pa. – The Mansfield Mountaineers men's basketball team (8-17, 6-14 PSAC East) held the sixth seed in the conference before their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division clash with Lock Haven (17-7, 15-4 PSAC East) and delivered an emphatic victory, defeating the Bald Eagles, 73-68. 

Idris Ali led the way for the Mounties with 18 points, shooting 67% (6-9) on the night. 

Scott Woodring (11), Jordan Montgomery (11), Manir Waller (11), and Saraj Ali (10) all collected double figures on the night, with S. Ali picking up his eighth double-double of the season. 

Lock Haven broke the seal to the game with a three-point basket and a jumper by Woodring followed as the first baskets of the game. 

After eight minutes of play the game remained deadlocked, with the visitors holding a two-point lead.  

The Bald Eagles held down a run of eight points to strengthen their lead to 25-19.  

Camden Hurst drilled a bucket, with S. Ali following up with one of his own. 

The Haven dropped many shots throughout the first half's final minutes, including a trey with 35 seconds left to take the lead into halftime with a score of 43-35. 

Mansfield started off with the hot hand, scoring eight points in the second half in just the first two minutes of play to cut the lead to 46-43. 

Lock Haven kept the score under lock and key with a small lead of one point 48-47.  

A back-and-forth game continued until Montgomery tied the game by sinking a three tying the game 53-53. 

The game remained deadlocked until three straight three-pointers to claim the 67-60 lead with just 6:14 remaining on the clock. 

Six points were posted by the Bald Eagles to crunch the lead to 67-66 with 4:45 to go. 

A Mansfield timeout halted the 69-68 game with just a minute remaining,  

Three free throws gave the Mounties the 72-68 edge with 39 seconds left, hoping to close the game out on defense.  

The Bald Eagles threw up three three-pointers, but none landed as their miracle shot as the Mounties shook the nest to claim the 73-68 Eastern Division victory. 

UP NEXT: 
Senior Day for the Mountaineers is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, when the team faces West Chester. Mansfield will honor their three members with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.