Box Score
Despite loss, LHU clinches PSAC playoff berth - updated 10:10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15

MANSFIELD, Pa.  – The Lock Haven University men's basketball team (14-9, 7-6 PSAC East) fell in a tough road battle with Mansfield (7-17, 5-9 PSAC East) today, 80-75.

Despite the loss, the Bald Eagles have clinched a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoff berth, as it was confirmed by the conference office late Saturday night. It will mark Lock Haven's first appearance in the PSAC Tournament since the 2002-03 season.  

Mansfield opened the game on a, 13-5 run and the Bald Eagles found themselves trailing for most of the first period.

Wali Hepburn (Philadelphia/Neumann-Goretti) and Mansfield's Joe Bell, who entered the game ranked 1-2 in the PSAC in scoring, went toe-to-toe in the first half.  Hepburn led LHU with 13 points in the period while Bell netted 16 for Mansfield.

Mansfield held a, 30-27 lead at the halftime break.

The second half was close wire-to-wire, but the Bald Eagles were unable to ever fully gain control of the game.

With the game tied at, 58-58 with 6:51 to play, Lock Haven went on a, 13-8 run and held its largest lead of the game at five points, 71-66 with 3:09 to play.

The Haven lost its momentum however, and the Mounties closed the game on a, 14-4 run to pull out the win.

Hepburn finished with a game-high 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.  Hepburn's 30 points move him back into the top spot in the PSAC in scoring at 22.0 points per game.

Freshman Bootsie Walker (Chester, Pa./Chester) scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds on the day.

Kasheef Festus (Philadelphia/Archbishop Carroll) scored 10 points, grabbed seven boards and added four steals for LHU.

Bell finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds for Mansfield and now sits at second in the PSAC in scoring behind Hepburn at 21.9 points per game.

Lock Haven returns to action Wednesday, February 19 when the Bald Eagles travel to Kutztown for a PSAC East matchup.  Tipoff on Saturday is set for 7:30 p.m.

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Game Notes:
LHU entered today's game at Mansfield just one win away from clinching a playoff berth.  The Bald Eagles haven't made the playoffs since the 2002-03 season…Mansfield's Joe Bell (21.7) and Lock Haven's Wali Hepburn (21.6) are in a battle for the PSAC scoring title as the two sat 1-2 in the league heading into today's game…The Bald Eagles 14 wins entering today were the most since The Haven went 14-12 in 1992-93…Lock Haven has also secured its first winning season in 21 years (1992-93)…LHU is in search of a 15-win season. Lock Haven hasn't had a 15-win season since the Bald Eagles went 26-7 in 1989-90.