Felician Athletics - 11/18/06 MEN'S BASKETBALL - Felician Loses Openers In Minnesota

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Felician men's basketball team lost both ends of the season-opening Pepsi Tip-Off, hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday night, the host Mavericks had five double-figure scorers in their 96-63 victory. Minnesota State is ranked No. 19 in the national Division II preseason coaches' poll.

The Mavericks outscored Felician, 24-5, over the final seven minutes, 51 seconds of the first period, turning an eight-point lead into a 48-21 halftime advantage. MSU led by as many as 41 points in the second half. The Mavericks held a 52-30 rebounding advantage.

Felician's James Harper (Eatontown, NJ) came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points in 18 minutes in his collegiate debut. Derrell Thomas (Harlem, NY) and Sydir Mitchell (Clifton, NJ) scored 11 points apiece.

The next afternoon, Felician fell to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, 74-62, despite 26 points and eight rebounds from Mitchell. UMD outscored Felician, 7-2, over the final two minutes, 15 seconds of the first half to take a 40-33 lead into halftime. A jump shot by Mitchell pulled the Golden Falcons (0-2) to within 44-39 with 15:12 to play, but the Bulldogs took control by scoring the next seven points. Felician never got closer than a nine-point deficit the rest of the night.

Minnesota-Duluth (3-0) saw all five starters score in double-figures, led by 16 points and eight rebounds from Matt Rawley. For Felician, Mitchell made 9 of 13 field-goal attempts and 8 of 10 free throws. Harper (6-6 FG) had 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.