RELEASE DATE: 1/21/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIE MEN OUTLAST BLOOMSBURG 92-87 – IMPROVE TO 16-2 OVERALL AND 3-0 IN PSAC EAST

MANSFIELD – Bill McNeil scored 26 points, including four free throws in the final :43 seconds of the game to lead the 24^th ranked Mansfield University men’s basketball team to 92-87 win over Bloomsburg in a PSAC East contest at Nelson Fieldhouse Wednesday night.

Mansfield improved to 16-2 overall, their best start since going 26-4 in 1996-97, and posted their seventh straight win.

Playing for the first time all season without Omari Pearson – the PSAC’s leading scorer and rebounder – the Mountaineers responded with a balanced scoring attack with four players scoring in double figures while holding a commanding 47-22 rebounding advantage.

A fast paced first half saw the two team battle back and forth until the Mountaineers went on a 15-0 run to take a  43-31 lead on a 3-pointer by Brian Bryant with 3:02 to play in the half. Mansfield took a 45-38 lead into intermission behind Ian Connor who scored 11 of his 19 points over the first 20 minutes.

Midway through the second half, the Mountaineers looked to be in control of the game as they built a 76-59 lead on a lay-up by Robert Carter with under eight minutes to play.

But Bloomsburg refused to fold and came back to close the 87-85 with just under thirty second to go. The Mountaineers, who would not make a field goal over the last 1:33 of the game, made 8-of-10 free throws over the final :44 to hold on for the win. McNeil hit four free throws over that span.

Mansfield tied its season high by shooting 46 free throws, connecting on 32. McNeil scored a game high 26 points and pulled down a game high eight rebounds with four assists. Ian Connor had 19 points and seven rebounds with Brandon DeShields scoring 13 and Brett Longpre’ 12. Carter added nine points while Glenn Jackson had six points and three blocked shots.

Bloomsburg was led by Justin Scott with 22 points.

Mansfield will travel to Cheyney on Saturday