Auburn, Me—There is no safe lead in college basketball.  CM played an impressive 25 minutes of basketball Saturday night only to lose focus in the last 15 minutes but held on to beat Penn State Beaver 73-71 in Auburn.  The Mustangs led at the half 41-28 and increased the lead to 20 points early in the second half.

The night began with each team riding an emotional wave trading baskets the first 10 minutes of the contest.  CM went on an 11-4 run mid-way in the first half to jump out front and take a lead into the locker room. 

As the second half progressed the Beavers gained a second wind and slowly crept back into the game.  Lamont Wright, Marcus Smith and Gerald Boykin led the Beaver drive applying ball pressure and wearing down the Mustangs.  Turnovers, steals and missed shots plagued the home team as CM went 5 scoreless minutes as the lead dwindled down to single digits.  With 2.5 minutes on the clock, Beaver took their first lead of the game 65-64.  Credit the Mustangs for keeping cool under pressure-- not breaking down but digging in defensively. 

The last two minutes of the game came down to free throws.  CM sent three different players to the charity stripe in the last two minutes and all came up empty handed.  However, a key Pietro Badalassi (Canberra, Australia)  three (his only one of the game) put the Mustangs up by five where they held on to take home the victory.

Rob Skinner (Winsted, CN) lead the Mustangs with20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. 

With no rest for the weary, the Mustangs play their third game in four days Sunday hosting Penn State Alto at 3pm.