Box Score

MANSFIELD, Pa. — Despite a career night from sophomore Dylan Edgar, the Shippensburg University men's basketball team was unable to hold onto a nine-point lead in the second half and suffered its second consecutive heartbreaking loss to start PSAC East play, falling to Mansfield, 77-73, from Decker Gymnasium.

Edgar shot 10-of-12 from the floor and matched his career high of 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds, a total which is two short of his career high. The sophomore finished the first half with 14 points and nine rebounds before fighting through constant double-teams in the second half to notch his fourth career double-double.

Freshman Reggie Charles scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting in addition to three assists and two rebounds. Senior Dane Lauber was the third Shippensburg (6-10, 3-7 PSAC) player to score in double-figures, as he went 5-of-9 from the floor and poured in 12 points.

Lauber and senior Craig Van Scyoc both added six rebounds. Van Scyoc also knocked down two three-pointers, finishing with eight points.

Edgar's teammates consistently got him the ball under the basket in position for open looks in the first half. He scored the first four points of the game – including a dunk to open up the scoring – as the Raiders jumped out to a 11-4 lead five minutes in.

Mansfield (6-8, 3-7) clawed back, eventually grabbing a 19-16 lead. A jumper by senior Jordan Stasyszyn at the 1:32 mark of the first half put SU up 37-34 before an Edgar tip-in two possessions later opened up a five-point margin.

After a turnover, Mansfield's Charles Becoats nailed a three-pointer with just five seconds left, however, to cut the Mountaineers' halftime deficit to 39-37.

The Raiders came out of the gate hot in the second period, as consecutive layups by Charles and senior Will Royal extended their lead to nine points, 53-44, just five minutes into the half.

Shippensburg's lead would diminish from there, however, as Mansfield went on a 6-0 run just before going off on a 9-0 spurt that gave it a 67-60 lead with 5:35 to play.

Down 69-64 with 2:39 left, Shippensburg quickly made a run, sparked by a layup from Lauber, who followed it up with a steal that led to a lay-in from freshman Sam Pygatt. Down just one, Lauber made two free throws on the next possession to give Shippensburg a 70-69 lead.

Mansfield's Cory Henneghan responded with a three-pointer on the next possession. Pygatt then sank a free throw before a Shippensburg defensive lapse allowed MU freshman Joe Bell an uncontested dunk for a 74-71 lead with 25 seconds to play.

The Mounties converted three of their four remaining attempts at the line to seal the victory.

Shippensburg will travel to West Chester on Wednesday for a 8 p.m. clash from Hollinger Field House.