Box Score
Deshawn Curtis came off the bench to score a career high 33 points while grabbing 13 rebounds to lead Cheyney (2-6:2-2) to a 70-65 victory over Mansfield (1-7:0-4). It was Curtis's fourth double double of the season. Jerrod Johnson added 14 for the Wolves.
Coach Stephens was forced to use yet another starting line-up, his eighth as many games, due to disciplinary reasons. Getting the start for the Wolves was Eugene Lett, Charles Ayetigo, Jerrod Johnson, Mecheal Green and Mike Drinks.
The Wolves found themselves down by as many as eight late in the first half but were able to rally. Cheyney was able to cut the lead to five at halftime. The Wolves didn't take the lead until the 5:49 mark of the second half (56-55) after Curtis made a put back lay-up. Mansfield's Xavier Warner drained a three-pointer to give the Mounties the lead back but Lett converted a pair of free throws to knot the game at 58. The free throws started the Wolves on a 10-2 run that turned a two point deficit into a six point advantage with 1:56 to play. The Mounties cut the lead to three, 66-63 after Charles Becoats made a three pointer with 1:34 remaining. Curtis them proceeded to make 1 -3 from the line to extend the lead to four points. With :17 to play, Mansfield's Ryan Krawczeniuk drained a pair of foul shots to bring the lead down to two. But Curtis again answered the call draining a pair of free throw. Lett made the final point of the contest with five ticks remaining.
"This was a team effort," commented Coach Stephens. "Our seniors really stepped up."
Not only was it the play of the seniors but the Wolves as a team was credited with a season low 6 turnovers. Cheyney also found themselves at the charity stripe a lot. The Wolves converted 21-30 from the line while the Mounties only got to the line nine times.
Becoats and Charles Pemberton paced the Mountaineers with 11 points apiece.
Cheyney will take the week off before traveling to Seton Hill and California on December 17 & 18. The Wolves return home on December 21 to take on Slippery Rock before once again take a break for the holidays.
