SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team led wire-to-wire in posting an 82-75 victory over Mansfield University Saturday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover action from Morrow Field House.
 
The Rock (14-3, 8-3 PSAC) jumped out to 9-0 lead less than three minutes into the game and led by double figures most of the way. SRU struggled at the free throw line down the stretch to allow Mansfield (4-10, 3-8 PSAC) to edge back into the game, but the Mountaineers never really threatened the outcome.
 
Slippery Rock used a tenacious defensive effort in the first half to jump out to a 39-24 advantage at halftime after holding Mansfield to just 25.6 percent shooting over the opening 20 minutes. The Mounties bounced back in the second half, but still finished the game shooting just 38.8 percent from the field. SRU blocked eight shots in the game, while Mansfield finished with no blocked shots.
 
The Rock shot 50 percent in the second half to keep Mansfield at bay and finished the game shooting 45.5 percent from the field (30-of-66), 31.3 percent from 3-point (5-of-16) and 56.7 percent from the free throw line (17-of-30). SRU took 27 of its free throws in the second half after the Mountaineers began purposely fouling with just under six minutes to play. The Rock posted a 49-38 advantage in total rebounds, but could only turn 16 offensive boards into 10 second chance points.
 
Mansfield shot 38.8 percent from the field (26-of-67), 36.8 percent from 3-point (7-of-19) and 66.7 percent from the free throw line (16-of-24).
 
Micah Till and Brandon Simmons led The Rock from their post positions as the pair of forwards combined for 47 points and 25 rebounds. Till scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed nine boards, while also blocking three shots and handing out three assists. Simmons had a double-double just 13 minutes into the game and finished with 18 points, 18 rebounds and three blocked shots.
 
Bruce Spruell scored 15 points and handed out three assists and Merdic Green scored 11 points to lead the guards. Spruell and Green teamed with Till and Simmons to account for 75 of Slippery Rock's 82 points. Aaron McDonald added five points and a game-high seven assists to round out the top efforts on the day.
 
Mansfield was led by Cedrick Powell with 19 points and four assists. Malik Carter added 18 points off the bench, while leading scorer Jeremiah Worthem finished with 11 points on a 4-of-17 effort from the field.
 
Slippery Rock took over sole possession of second place in the PSAC West standings with the win Saturday after Indiana (Pa.) edged Edinboro with a buzzer-beater. The Crimson Hawks (8-2) are a half-game ahead of SRU in the division standings, while Gannon (7-3) is a half-game back of SRU in third place and Edinboro (7-4) is one game back of SRU in fourth.
 
The Rock have now won 12 of their last 13 games dating back to Nov. 19 and will look to keep that momentum going when they travel to Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
 
 

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