MBB: WORTH REPEATING

ACREE-MANUEL'S LAST-SECOND SHOT LIFTS MOUNTAIN LIONS PAST UPJ

Javaughn Manuel Shot vs UPJ
Concord fans have seen it before, but it was worth seeing again.

Javaughn Acree-Manuel's baseline jumper with :01.9 remaining in regulation (left) lifted the Mountain Lions men's basketball team to an 89-87 victory over WVIAC foe Pitt-Johnstown Saturday afternoon at the Carter Center.

Last January 22, Acree-Manuel drained a last-second jumper to beat archrival Bluefield State in Athens, and his repeat performance Saturday rescued CU after it had let slip a 17-point 2nd half lead.  Concord improved to 5-3, 4-2 in the WVIAC.  UPJ left Athens at 5-5, 3-2.

The Mountain Lions found a rhythm early in the 1st half, breaking away from a 13-13 tie with a 23-10 run that put them ahead 36-23 with 7:28 before halftime.  CU would lead 58-43 at the break, and matched their biggest advantage of the day by going ahead 65-48 with 18:29 left.

The visitors went on a 14-2 run to close within 67-62 less than five minutes later.  Concord would push its lead up to 10 points – at 83-73 – with 5:02 left, but UPJ put on a 14-4 that left the game tied at 87-87 with only :29 to go.
Romel Kemp Dunk vs UPJ

After a timeout, the Mountain Lions ran a play for Manuel, who sank the deciding shot.  UPJ managed to try a long three-point attempt at the buzzer, but it managed to hit only the backboard.

Acree-Manuel, a senior guard from Lansing, MI led all scorers with 26 points.   Fellow Michigander Corey Neeley came off the bench to score 20 points, with an impressive shooting line – Neeley shot 5-6 from the field, including 3-4 from three-point range, and was a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. 
Romel Kemp (right) added 20 points and team-high six rebounds.

Nick Novak led UPJ with 23 points.  Patrick Grubbs added a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.


Up next for Concord is a visit to the University of Charleston on Saturday, December 17.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 pm.


NOTE:  Saturday was “Lewis D'Antoni Day” at Concord.  The Mullens, WV native and member of the CU Athletics Hall of Fame was honored during a ceremony at halftime, which inspired a standing ovation from the Carter Center crowd.  D'Antoni was also the guest of honor at a reception after the game.

D'Antoni Day Ceremony (vs UPJ)
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