RELEASE DATE: 10/15/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mountie men’s basketball team holds first practice of 2008-09 season

MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University men’s basketball team officially started the 2008-09 season with their first practice of the year this afternoon in Decker Gymnasium.

Head coach Rich Miller returns 10 players off last year’s 17-10 team including six players who started sometime during the 2007-08 campaign.

The veteran team features just one senior in returning starting point guard Chris Greene and includes just four newcomers on the 16-man preseason roster.

“The clock’s already running and we’re pretty anxious to get going,” said Miller. “We think we have a solid core or returning players and some new guys that have the ability to help right away.”

The team has just three weeks to get ready for an exhibition game at St. Bonaventure on Nov. 7 before opening the season at home against Seton Hill on Nov. 15. Mansfield will also travel to NCAA Division I Binghamton University on Nov. 17.