Bloomsburg Downs Mansfield Behind 34 Points from Jefferson

MANSFIELD --Matt Jefferson (Philadelphia/Engineering and Science) scored a game-high 34 points and led five players in double figures as the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team posted a 101-95 win over Mansfield University Wednesday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division match-up.

The 101 points marks the first time since the 2000-01 season that the Huskies have reached the century mark in points.

Bloomsburg, 6-18, 2-7 PSAC East, led from start to finish in the game jumping out to a quick 13-5 lead just five minutes into the game with Billy Bryan (Denver/Reading Holy Name) getting five points and Jefferson four.

After Mansfield, 11-12, 5-4 PSAC East, rallied and cut the lead to one, 17-16, with 11:31 to play in the half, the Huskies went on a 24-10 run to take a 41-26 lead with 5:12 to play in the first half.

In the second half the Huskies led 61-57 with 16 minutes to go in the game when they went on a 17-4 run over the next five minutes for a 78-61 advantage. Jefferson scored 10 and Marion Rose (Philadelphia/Mastbaum) eight for Bloomsburg in the rally.

Mansfield, once again though, rallied and chipped away at the lead getting to within three points, 96-93, with 29 seconds to play on a three-pointer by David Hoopes. However, the Huskies hit five of six free throws in the closing 25 seconds to seal the win.

Jefferson finished the night shooting 15-26 from the floor and adding four of five from the foul line for his 34 points. He also added 12 rebounds and two blocked shots. Bryan added 18 points, while Rose finished with 15 points. Mike Cheatle (North Wales/Hatboro-Horsham) also chipped in with 13 and Seve Cunningham (Wrightsville/Eastern York) 12 for Bloomsburg.

The Huskies will host Cheyney in a make-up game Monday night at 6 p.m.