Jaylen Mann scored 23 points for the Pioneers on 7 of 12 from 3-point range (2015 Photo).
Box Score
PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Point Park University men's basketball made 19 3-pointers to put an upset scare into NAIA Division II No. 1 St. Francis (Ind.) at various points in Friday's game, but the Pioneers got into trouble midway through each half and lost, 104-89, in the first game of the University of Pikeville (Ky.) Walter's Auto Classic.
The Pioneers (0-2) and Cougars (6-0) combined to shoot 90 treys, and the 33 combined made 3-pointers set a record for most ever at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
The prolific, outside shooting made for a crazy game, one that had the Pioneers up 33-21 midway through the first half after coming out scorching the nets early on.
Senior forward Jaylen Mann, a 6-4 native of Youngstown, Ohio, led the outside barrage for the Pioneers with 23 points on 7 of 12 from outside the arc. Kenny Strong, a senior guard from Youngstown, Ohio, drained 6 of 11 treys on his way to 20 points.
Point guard Gavin Rajahpillay was orchestrating the Pioneers' attack well. He finished with 16 points and 14 assists. But he picked up his third foul with about 8:00 left in the first half. Point Park's 39-31 lead eventually turned into a 60-49 deficit at the half.
But the Pioneers were never out of it thanks to their shooting. Another parade of 3s brought them back to within 76-75 when Rajahpillay set up Mann for a 3-pointer at the 10:55 mark of the second half.
That's when St. Francis showed why it was No. 1 by putting together a 24-2 run over the next eight minutes. A trey by Mann finally put an end to the spurt, but by that point, it was 100-80.
Point Park ended up making 19 of 47 3-pointers for 40 percent. The Pioneers had just five turnovers. St. Francis had six players in double figures, including four starters. The Cougars used their height of 6-9, 6-8 and 6-7 along the frontline to lead in rebounds, 59-35.
Point Park continues its stay at the Pikeville Walter's Auto Classic by playing host Pikeville, the No. 19-ranked team in NAIA Division I, on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Bears currently have the longest active streak of consecutive weeks ranked in the NAIA Divisin I Top 25 Poll.
The Pioneers will play their third ranked opponent in a row when they travel to NCAA Division II No. 7 Wheeling Jesuit on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
