RELEASE DATE: 12/21/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LATE RUN BY CALIFORNIA SINKS MOUNITES – JASON BENSON SCORES A GAME HIGH 28 POINTS

CALIFORNIA, PA – Jason Benson scored a game high 28 points and David Hoopes added 23 but it would not be enough to hold off a late California rally as Mansfield dropped a 89-79 PSAC crossover contest at Hamer Hall Tuesday night.

California built a 26-20 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first half before the Mountaineers went on a 7-0 run to take a 27-26 lead on a jumper by Andrea Martin with 4:30 to go and keep that one-point lead with a 38-37 advantage at intermission behind Hoopes who had 14 first half points.

The second half remain close with eight ties or lead changes when Hoopes buried one of his seven 3-pointers to give Mansfield a 61-54 lead with 10:24 left in the game.

But California would storm right back with a 16-0 run over the next five minutes to pull out the win. The Mountaineers did manage to close to 78-71 with a little of two minutes left but could pull no closer.

Benson scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. He also had four assists.

California (6-3) was lead by Mike Smelkinson and Boris Mesnager who both recorded double doubles with 25 and 22 points respectively.

The Mountaineers travel to Shippensburg tomorrow.