Nov. 15, 2005

Stats

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst opened its 2005-06 season with a 75-62 win over visiting Notre Dame College of Ohio Tuesday night in the first-ever meeting between the teams. The Falcons dropped to 3-2. The Lakers not only shot 51% from the floor, but also featured balanced scoring with five players in double digits.

The Falcons had the early advantage and led by as many as six (21-15) with nine minutes left in the opening half. The Lakers outscored the Falcons 19-11 to close the half with a 34-32 advantage. Junior forward Richard Field led Mercyhurst with nine points and five boards. The Lakers shot 52% (16-31) in the first half while the Falcons hit 14-30 (47%). Both teams pulled down 16 rebounds. Only three combined free throws, two by Notre Dame, were attempted in the first half.

The second half was equally competitive with the teams tied for the fifth and final time at 51 apiece with slightly less than eight minutes to play. That's when the Lakers kicked things into high gear. Mercyhurst outscored Notre Dame 15-4 over the next three minutes to take charge and was never seriously threatened thereafter. Junior guard Avi Fogel contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and an assist over a two-minute span late in the game. Fogel's jumper at 6:45 began a 12-2 run that slowly put the game out of reach.

Sophomore guard Terry Smith and Field led both teams with 15 points apiece. Fogel knocked down 13, senior forward Andy Kubinski added a dozen, and freshman Stu Anglum finished with 10. Tim Payne topped the Falcons with 13. Notre Dame's leading scorer, Jerome Pierce, who entered the game averaging nearly 18 points a game, was held to eight. Notre Dame was held to just 30% shooting in the second half.

Mercyhurst will compete at the Stonehill (Mass.) Tournament this weekend. The Lakers will play Felician at 5:00pm Friday.