Release Date: 1/17/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MANSFIELD’S BRANDON DESHIELDS 16 SECOND HALF POINTS SPARKS AN 87-81 VICTORY OVER MILLERSVILLE

MILLERSVILLE- Sophomore Brandon DeShields (York/York) came off the bench in the second half to score 16 of his 18 points, to spark the Mountaineers to an 87-81 victory over Millersville University Saturday afternoon at Millersville.

The Mountaineers led for majority of the first half with the shooting of senior Omari Pearson (York/UNLV) who shot three for five from the field with 13 points in the first half.  Pearson finished the game with 17 points.

Millersville cut into the Mansfield lead and later would take over the lead going into halftime with a 39-32 lead. 

In the second half, Mansfield had a scare as their top shooter and rebounder Omari Pearson left the game with an injury with 15:52 to play in the second half.  He did not return.

“When Omari went down, the whole team stepped it up a notch, said head coach Vince Alexander. “They just stepped it up and Brandon DeShields was sensational. He just refused to let us lose. If he wasn’t making a key basketball, he was getting a key rebound or making a key defensive play.”

Despite losing Pearson, the Mountaineers rallied and began cutting down Millersville’s lead.  With 10:43 remaining in the second half, DeShields hit a jumper to give Mansfield a 59-58 lead.

The Mountaineers lead would increase to six points when senior Brett Longpre’(Welland, ONT/Governor Simcoe), who scored a game high 25 points; hit a three-point jumper with 8:15 to play.  Minute’s later sophomore Bill McNeal (Philadelphia/Simon Gratz) converted on two free throws increase the lead to 68-60.

Millersville never regained the lead as the Mountaineers free throw shooting towards the end of the game sealed the 87-81 victory.  Longpre’ and DeShields were combined 11 for 11 in the final five minutes of play.

The Mountaineer bench was key in Mansfield’s win this afternoon.

“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of the way our guys come off the bench today and gave us a boost,” said Alexander. “Justin Kress went in there and used that big strong body to stop their inside game. Ian Anderson gave us some key minutes and did Jeremy Frey.”

The win marks the Mountaineers second win at Millersville since 1983.

“It was more than just a win at a place where it has been very difficult to win,” said Alexander. “It was overcoming adversity. It was running through the wall when everything looked its worse and it was making a statement that everyone on this team contributes and its not just about one or two guys.”

With the win the Mountaineers improve to 15-2 overall and 2-0 in the PSAC East.  Mansfield will travel to Bloomsburg on Wed. to take on the Huskies of Bloomsburg University.

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