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The North Penn-Mansfield Tigers advanced to the NTL Showdown title game with a 73-58 win over Northeast Bradford on Friday, February 10.

Shane Kelly paced the Tigers with 8 points in the opening quarter as the Tigers held a slim 18-14 lead. Mansfield put some distance between them and NEB in the second by outscoring the Panthers 17-9 to lead 35-23 at halftime before exploding for 22 points in the third to put the game in hand. NEB made a slight rally in the fourth, but the Tigers held strong for their 18th win of the season.

Brock Burleigh led all scorers with a game-high 26 points, Shane Kelly scored 18, and Nick Kasper had 13. Konnor Manikowski added 4 points, and six other Tigers had 2 points each.

Zak Smith led NEB with 13 points, David Ford and Garrett Smith both scored 12, and Austin Senn-Bishop finished with 9.

“Northeast got off to a really good start and then our defense got better,” said Tigers head coach Kipper Burleigh. “They shot the ball real well and their guards are tough to defend. I think the difference was our guys inside. Shane Kelly was unstoppable and Brock was just as efficient.”

The Tigers are back on the court later tonight for the NTL Showdown title against rival Wellsboro. Both teams split their regular season games this year.

“We have to continue to focus on defense. In the post-season defense wins games. We have to be able to defend the dribble. We’re hoping we have enough energy to go up there and do that tomorrow night.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. at Mansfield University’s Decker Gym.