Box Score (HTML)

MANSFIELD, Pa. - Host Mansfield shot over 58 percent from the floor to outlast the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team, 91-81, on Wednesday evening at Decker Gymnasium.

The Huskies (7-8, 3-8 PSAC) held the lead early, posting a 21-16 score at the 8:23 mark of the first half on a layup from Wes Lyons (Millville/Millville). Bloomsburg continued to hold the edge until Mansfield embarked on a 17-2 run fueled by All-PSAC East senior guard Joe Bell, who made his presence felt throughout the night.

Mansfield (7-9, 5-7) posted a double digit lead at 36-23 following a basket from Bell with 4:01 left in the first half. Bloomsburg clawed its way back into the game with a run of its own, however.

Lyons drew a foul and made both shots at the line to start a 14-3 run by the Huskies to end the half. A steal from Ashkan Naderi (Herndon, VA/Herndon) led to a layup in transition from Charles Haigler (Charles Town, WV/Hargrave Military Academy) before the final media timeout of the half.

Lyons and Haigler then made back-to-back baskets to the cut the deficit to 36-31. Charles Pemberton made one of two at the line and Andreas Katopodis sank two free throws on ensuing Mansfield possessions, but Alex Prislupsky (Olyphant/Mid-Valley) then drilled a 3-point basket to draw the Huskies within 39-35. Haigler then came up with a steal, drawing a foul and made both shots at the line with three seconds left to send the teams into intermission with Mansfield's edge at just 39-37.

Mansfield drew ahead, 44-38, following a bucket in the paint from Thomas Moore, but the Huskies soon roared back for a 47-46 lead following shots at the line from Saintilus.
Bell then sank a jumper, but another pair of free throws from Saintilus gave the Huskies a 49-48 edge at the 15:34 mark.

The Mountaineers took control of the game, though, with a 14-4 run to move ahead, 62-53, following one of two at the line from Bell with 11:31 to go.

Bloomsburg drew within five at 62-57 following two at the line from Christian Mortellite (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) a minute later, but Mansfield then scored the next five points to push its lead back to double digits on another jumper from Bell for a 67-57 score at the 9:14 mark.

From there, the difference remained between nine and 13 points the rest of the way as the Mountaineers kept the Huskies from gaining traction in any rally efforts down the stretch.

Saintilus scored in double figures for the 12th time this year and for the sixth straight game with 19 points. Haigler and Riles also each tallied 14 points apiece as the Huskies shot 40 percent from the floor (22-of-55).

Whistles were aplenty on the evening as each team committed 28 personal fouls. Bloomsburg could not cash in at the line, however, finishing 29-of-41 (70.7 percent).

Mansfield, too, missed many opportunities at the line, sinking 31-of-43 attempts (72.1 percent) from the stripe. The Mountaineers stayed hot from the floor, though, shooting a scorching 15-of-21 (71.4 percent) during the second half to keep control. In all, Mansfield shot 27-of-46 from the floor (58.7 percent) for the game.

Bell was outstanding, pouring in 27 points and also finishing with nine rebounds and five assists. Moore tallied 20 points and Katopodis gave the Mountaineers a scoring triple threat with 17 points.

The Huskies outrebounded Mansfield by a 33-28 margin, with Haigler and Lyons each pulling down eight rebounds apiece.

Bloomsburg returns to action Saturday afternoon vs. Kutztown for a 3 p.m. scheduled tipoff at Nelson Field House.