Box Score
EAST STROUDSBURG - Channon Easley (17 points, 16 rebounds) and Josh Wentz (16 points) both had big games on Senior Night at Koehler Fieldhouse as East Stroudsburg University sealed its third consecutive PSAC tournament appearance with a 64-54 victory over Mansfield on Wednesday.
The win gives ESU (18-8, 6-5) three straight postseason appearances for the first time since the 1989-90, 90-91 and 91-92 seasons. The Warriors will play at either Cheyney or Kutztown in the first round on Tuesday night after a trip to Kutztown to finish the regular season on Saturday.
Easley had three straight defensive rebounds and was 6-for-6 at the foul line in the final 46 seconds to put the game away for the Warriors. His 16 rebounds were a career-high, and he made all nine of his free throws after coming into the game as a career 53.5 percent shooter at the line.
ESU closed the first half with a 10-0 run over the final four minutes to take a 31-18 lead into the locker room, but Mansfield chipped away and reduced the deficit to five point (40-35) six minutes into the second half.
The Mounties finally pulled even at 44-44 on two free throws by Ryan Callahan with 9:18 left, but Wentz scored five straight points for the Warriors with two free throws and his third three-pointer of the game to eventually push the margin to four.
A layup by Yuseff Carr that cut the lead to two with 6:35 left was Mansfield's only field goal for the next four minutes as ESU went on a crucial 9-1 spurt.
Sophomore guard Robbie Pines was involved with an assist on a layup by Aaron Pinckney, and a defensive rebound that led to a bucket by Easley at the other end. Easley added two assists, on a jumper by Andy Heimbach and a layup by Wentz that extended the advantage to 58-48 with 3:00 left.
Mansfield scored two quick buckets to pull within six, but Easley controlled the glass in the final two minutes and wrapped the game up at the foul line.
Brandon Lawley scored the Mounties first 13 points of the game and finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Mansfield came into the game one game behind the Warriors in the PSAC East standings at 4-6 and falls to 16-10 (4-7 PSAC East).
ESU will be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the tournament depending on the outcome of Saturday's games. The Warriors would be the No. 3 seed with a win at Kutztown and a Millersville loss at West Chester, and the No. 4 seed with a loss or a Millersville victory.
Cheyney secured the No. 1 seed in the PSAC East by overcoming a 26-point deficit in the second half for a 77-69 win at Millersville on Wednesday night.
