RELEASE DATE: 12/30/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES DROP 71-69 HEARTBREAKER TO NEW JERSEY TECH. IN CONSOLATION GAME AT ROLLINS COLLEGE WINTER PARK ROTARY TANGERINE TOURNAMENT

New Jersey Tech rallies from behind to win in the final 10 seconds.

Winter Park, FLA -- Mansfield looked to be well on their way to rebounding from last night's loss in the opening round of the Winter Park Rotary Tangerine Tournament. The Mountaineers opened the game with an 8-0 run on two 3-pointers and a field goal from Dave Hoopes. Hoopes scored 17 of his team-high 20 points in the first half.

Mansfield would build their lead to as much as 13 points in the first half before New Jersey Tech closed to to within 8 points at halftime -- Mansfield 35 New Jersey 27.

The Mounties would open the lead back to 13 points at the beginning of the second half making the score 40-27 with just under 18 minutes to play.

New Jersey capitalized on Mansfield's turnovers to close the gap and take the lead with 7:19 to play. Mansfield would battle back to tie the game. The scoring went back and forth leaving the score tied until 27 seconds to go.

Marc Milbourne Swan was fouled on a layup and converted the 3-point play to put the Highlanders up 70-69 with under 30 seconds to play.

Mansfield would turn the ball over on the next drive forcing the Mounties to foul. Clayton Barker missed his second free throw for New Jersey to give the Mountaineers a chance to tie with :4 remaining on the clock. Brandon DeShields' last second 3-point attempt missed its mark as the Mounties fell in another heartbreakingly close game.

Hoopes led Mansfield with 20 points on the night. DeShields added 16 points and freshman Chris Greene had a career high 11 points. Carlos Collazo added nine points before fouling out of the contest.

New Jersey Tech was led by three scorers in double figures -- Kraig Peters led all scoring with a game high 23 points. Clayton Barker added 20 points and Courcy Magnus chipped in 15 points for the Highlanders.  

This game marks the fourth time this season Mansfield has fallen by two points or less, and the sixth game this season that has been decided by three points or less.

Mansfield returns to action on January 7, 2006 at home as they host Indiana University of Pennsylvania in PSAC crossover action. Official NCAA Basketball Mascot "J.J. Jumper" will be on hand to promote NCAA "Take A Kid To The Game" day. For more information on JJ's appearance, visit the Mansfield sports homepage at sports.mnsfld.edu.

Newspaper Box Score
Mansfield vs New Jersey Tech
12/30/05 6:00 at Winter Park, Fla.
At Winter Park, Fla.

NEW JERSEY TECH 71, MANSFIELD 69
 

MANSFIELD (4-5)
HOOPES, David 6-8 3-4 20; DESHIELDS, Brandon 5-16 3-4 16; GREENE, Chris 3-7
4-5 11; COLLAZO, Carlos 2-4 5-7 9; MORTIMER, Denny 3-4 0-2 6; HAMPTON, John
2-6 0-0 4; MARTIN, Andrae 1-3 1-2 3. Totals 22-48 16-25 69.
NEW JERSEY TECH (4-6)
PETERS, Kraig 7-11 4-6 23; BARKER, Clayton 8-20 4-6 20; MAGNUS, Courcy 4-7
4-5 15; MILBOURNE SWAN, Marc 2-3 4-5 8; EDWARDS, Kyle 1-4 1-2 3; STONE, Alex
1-2 0-0 2. Totals 23-47 17-24 71.
 

Mansfield..................... 35 34 - 69
New Jersey Tech............... 27 44 - 71
 

3-point goals-Mansfield 9-24 (HOOPES, David 5-7; DESHIELDS, Brandon 3-12;
GREENE, Chris 1-4; COLLAZO, Carlos 0-1), New Jersey Tech 8-19 (PETERS, Kraig
5-7; MAGNUS, Courcy 3-6; STONE, Alex 0-1; BARKER, Clayton 0-5).

Fouled out--Mansfield-COLLAZO, Carlos, New Jersey Tech-EDWARDS, Kyle.
 

Rebounds-Mansfield 24 (DESHIELDS, Brandon 5; MARTIN, Andrae 5), New Jersey
Tech 33 (EDWARDS, Kyle 7).

Assists-Mansfield 14 (GREENE, Chris 5; DESHIELDS,
Brandon 5), New Jersey Tech 9 (BARKER, Clayton 5).

Total fouls-Mansfield 24, New Jersey Tech 26. A-211
Winter Park Rotary Tangerine Tournament Consolation Game