Jones Leads Bloomsburg Over Mansfield

BLOOMSBURG- Nick Jones (Rosedale, NY/ Hillcrest) scored a career-high 31 points and hit several key free throws down the stretch to lead the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team to an 89-85 overtime win over Mansfield in the Huskies final game of the season.

Trailing 75-73 with 45 seconds left in regulation, Billy Bryan (Denver/ Holy Name) connected on two clutch free throws to tie the game at 75-75. Mansfield's Chris Greene then drew a foul with just three seconds remaining. However, Greene missed both free throws and John Allen (Hatfield/ Millersville)grabbed the defensive rebound to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Huskies pulled ahead, 79-77, with 2:57 remaining after a lay-up from Drew Jerry (Philadelphia/ Olney). Bloomsburg maintained the lead and held an 87-82 advantage with eight seconds remaining. However, Mansfield's Terrence Williams hit a quick three-pointer to cut the lead to 87-85. Jones was then fouled with two seconds left and hit one of two free throws to give Bloomsburg an 88-85 lead. On the in-bounds pass, Bryan intercepted the pass to seal the win for Bloomsburg.

In the first half of play, Mansfield jumped out to a quick 20-8 lead and looked to have control of the game. The Huskies clawed their way back, however, and cut the lead to 38-34 at halftime. Jaren Burdine had 13 first-half points for Bloomsburg.

Jones hit 15 of 21 free throws and his 31 points were a game-high. Burdine and Billy Bryan each scored 17 points, while Matt Jefferson added 10. Mansfield's John Hampton and Kevin Hill each scored 20 to lead the Mountaineers.

Because of a win by East Stroudsburg on Friday night, the Huskies fell just one game shy of a playoff berth in the PSAC East. Bloomsburg finishes the 2006-07 season with a record of 13-14, 5-7 in the PSAC East. It is their highest win total since the 2001-02 season.