RELEASE DATE: 01/11/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES DROP 74-61 CONTEST AT PITT-JOHNSTOWN; COLLAZO RECORDS SECOND STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLE

Sloppy offensive play turned out to be devastating for the Mountaineers as they fell to 5-7 overall after a 74-61 defeat at UPJ Wednesday night in Johnstown.

Mansfield would take a 4-2 early lead at the 18:30 mark before UPJ took over the game. The Mounties would trail for the final 18:00 of the first half. The Mountain Cats built a 13 point lead with just over 5:00 to play in the half before Mansfield went on a 12-4 run, punctuated by a Dave Hoopes three pointer, to go in trailing by only five at halftime.

The Mounties offense looked to be back on track at the beginning of the second half as Mansfield opened with a 10-0 run to retake the lead 43-38 on a Justin Kress layup with 16:46 to play.

Mansfield's offensive surge at the beginning of the second half was quickly smothered by the tough defensive play of the Mountain Cats. UPJ capitalized on crucial Mansfield turnovers and a flat offense for the remainder of the contest to regain control of the game and build the largest advantage of the night at 15 points.

The Mounties offense struggled to get things going after surrendering the lead, shooting 35.3% from the field, 50.0% from the free throw line, and hitting only 1-of-12 three-pointers in the second half.

UPJ's defense held opponents to an average of under 65 points per game coming into this matchup and proved to be the deciding factor in the game as they held the Mounties to only 28 second half points.

The Mountain Cats improve their winning streak to 12 games in a row after this contest -- the best winning streak in NCAA Division II Men's Basketball. This victory was also head coach Bob Rukavina's 250th career victory at Pitt-Johnstown.

Mansfield recorded 21 turnovers as a team -- the second most for the Mounties this season. The 61 total points is the lowest total points scored for the Mountaineers in a game this season, while 28 points in the second half is the lowest total of points in a half this season. More season-lows included: 36.9% field goal percentage, and just 3-of-22 from the three point line.

The Mounties played without the help of starting forward Andrae Martin as he did not play due to an ankle injury.

Mansfield was led by Carlos Collazo who recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Dave Hoopes was the only other Mountaineer player to record double figures scoring 12 points, including three 3-pointers. Terrance Williams added 8 points with freshman Chris Greene adding seven points and Kevin Hill chipping in six points off the bench. Mansfield's leading scorer on the season, Brandon DeShields, was held to only 6 points in the contest.

UPJ was led by three players in double figures including the game's leading scorer Chris Gilliam who recorded 25 points and seven rebounds. Marcus Tullis and Kyle Goldcamp each added 13 points for the Mountain Cats.

Mansfield will travel to Clarion Saturday January 14th for PSAC crossover action before opening the PSAC East season at home against Millersville on Wednesday January 18th at 7:30pm at Decker Gymnasium. Both contests will be broadcast on WNTE 89.5 fm and online at www.gomounties.com.

Newspaper Box Score

Mansfield University vs Pitt Johnstown

01/11/06 7:00 p.m. at Pitt Johnstown Sports Center

At Pitt Johnstown Sports Center

PITT JOHNSTOWN 74, MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY 61

MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY (5-7)

COLLAZO, Carlos 7-12 0-2 14; HOOPES, David 3-10 3-4 12; WILLIAMS, Terrance 4-8 0-0 8; GREENE,

Chris 1-2 5-5 7; DESHIELDS, Brandon 3-12 0-0 6; KRESS, Justin 3-4 0-2 6; HILL, Kevin 2-6 2-2 6;

HAMPTON, John 1-9 0-0 2; MORTIMER, Denny 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals 24-65 10-15 61.

PITT JOHNSTOWN (12-2)

GILLIAM, Chris 10-14 5-5 25; TULLIS, Marcus 4-6 5-6 13; GOLDCAMP, Kyle 6-8 1-2 13; SCORPION, Steve

1-8 7-8 9; SCHUMACHER, J.J. 3-10 0-0 6; TUTCHSTONE, Joey 1-6 2-2 4; SHARPE, William 1-2 0-0 2;

DAVIS, Quinton 0-2 1-2 1; MEZYK, Nick 0-1 1-2 1; IONADI, Matt 0-1 0-0 0.

Totals 26-58 22-27 74.

Mansfield University.......... 33 28 - 61

Pitt Johnstown................ 38 36 - 74

3-point goals-Mansfield University 3-22 (HOOPES, David 3-10; WILLIAMS, Terrance 0-2; GREENE, Chris 0-

1; DESHIELDS, Brandon 0-4; HILL, Kevin 0-3; HAMPTON, John 0-2), Pitt Johnstown 0-9 (; TULLIS, Marcus 0-

1; SCORPION, Steve 0-4; SCHUMACHER, J.J. 0-1; DAVIS, Quinton 0-1; MEZYK, Nick 0-1; IONADI, Matt 0-

1). Fouled out--Mansfield University-COLLAZO, Carlos, Pitt Johnstown-None. Rebounds-Mansfield University

42 (COLLAZO, Carlos 10), Pitt Johnstown 37 (GOLDCAMP, Kyle 8). Assists-Mansfield University 9

(DESHIELDS, Brandon 5), Pitt Johnstown 16 (SCHUMACHER, J.J. 5). Total fouls-Mansfield University 24, Pitt

Johnstown 18.

 Head Coach Bob Rukavina Wins his 250th Game at Pitt Johnstown

Pitt Johnstown extends team-record and nation's longest win streak to 12 games