MBSK1-17-01

ESU-Mansfield Men's Basketball

East Stroudsburg, Pa. - After surrendering a 20-point lead, East Stroudsburg University battled back in the final six minutes, scoring 15 straight points, to defeat Mansfield, 92-80, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division basketball game Wednesday night.

Ahead by 43-23 late in the first half and 47-30 at halftime, the Warriors saw their lead quickly disappear early in the second session. Mansfield scored 23 points in the first five minutes of the half to climb back into contention and took the lead for the first time, 65-64, on a layup by Bret Longpre' with 8:53 remaining.

The Mounties extended the lead to five points at 75-70 and finally at 76-71 with 5:59 left on two free throws by Damar Lopez. Then suddenly, ESU regained its composure and took charge again behind the play of forward Juwan Justice.

Justice brought the team back with two free throws and a 3-pointer, after a layup by Shahad Abdur Rahkman, to give the team lead again, 78-76, with 4:49 to go.

Wayne Bishop converted one free throw and Justice and Rahkman made two apiece and then R.C. Kehoe capped the rally with a 3-pointer to make the score, 86-76, with only 2:09 remaining.

Justice had his second big Wednesday with 30 points on 9 for 14 shooting from the floor, including three 3-pointers, and 9 for 13 from the foul line. He had poured in 34 points in a win over Cheyney last Wednesday.

Kehoe added a season-high 22 points, making 6 of 8 field attempts, with three 3-pointers, and 7 of 11 foul shots. Mike Collins contributed 11 points, his season best.

Lopez led Mansfield with 21 points while Longpre contrributed 17, Jason Roscoe 12 and Alex Goodman 11.

ESU won its second straight conference without a defeat and will play to Bloomsburg Saturday night. The Warriors are now 8-7 overall. Mansfield dropped to 3-11 overall and 0-2 in PSAC play.

Rahkman 3 3-4 9, Justice 9 9-13 30, Bishop 2 1-2 6, Kehoe 6 7-11 22, Kelley 1 2-3 4, Smith 1 2-2 4, Kostic 1 1-1 3, Collins 3 4-6 11, Georges 1 1-1 3 Totals 27 30-43 92

Lopez 4 12-17 21, Goodman 4 2-2 11, Longpre 5 5-5 17, Scott 0 2-2 2, Roscoe 4 0-0 12, Mattern 0 0-0 0, Diehl 0 1-2 1, Jackson 4 0-0 8, Connor 3 2-4 8 Totals: 24 24-32 80

Three Point Goals: ESU - Justice 3, Kehoe 3, Bishop, Collins; Mansfield - Roscoe 4, Longpre 2, Goodman, Lopez

Halftime: ESU 47-30