RELEASE DATE: 1/11/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIE MEN USE STRONG FIRST HALF TO DOWN CALIFORNIA 82-78 IN BATTLE OF PSAC’S TOP TWO TEAMS – LONGPRE’ TOPS FOUR IN DOUBLE FIGURES WITH 22 POINTS

MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University men’s basketball built a nine point halftime lead behind sophomore Brandon DeShields (York/York) and held on down the stretch to beat California University of Pennsylvania 82-78 in a key PSAC crossover contest Sunday afternoon at Decker Gymnasium.

“This was a game that was all about respect”, said head coach Vince Alexander. “Both teams have looked forward to this game and it lived up to expectations. In the end, our guys just looked into themselves and refused to lose.”

Although the Mountaineers never trailed in the contest, the score was close for much of the game. Mansfield held a 32-29 lead with 6:31 to play in the first half before DeShields buried two 3-points to key a 14-5 run over the next five minutes to take a 46-34 lead.

DeShields scored 16 of his 19 points in the first half to help Mansfield to a 49-40 halftime advantage.

“Brandon really set the tone in the first half,” said Alexander. “We did a good job of controlling the boards and played some exceptional defense throughout the game.”

Mansfield held a 62-51 lead with 12:45 to play in the second half on a jumper by Brett Longpre’ (Welland,ONT/Governor Simcoe) before California chipped away at the lead to close to 73-72 with just under five minutes to play.

The Mountaineers shooting went cold over that stretch, connecting on just 29% from the floor in the second half.

Mansfield was up 79-78 with :49 second to play before Omari Pearson hit two free throws with 22 seconds left. California missed a game tying 3-pointer with six second to play and Jeremy Frey hit a free throw for Mansfield with four second let to ice the win.

DeShields end the game with 19 points and three steals. Brett Longpre’ scored a game high 22 points while Omari Pearson recorded his 10^th double-double of the season with 15 points and a game high 17 rebounds. Bill McNeil also scored 15 points for the Mountaineers.

Sharif Bray scored a team high 20 points for California.

Mansfield improves to 13-2 overall and will open PSAC play this Wednesday when they host Kutztown University.

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