Dec. 17, 2005

Stats

Erie, Pa. - Kerry Wilkinson scored a career-high 15 points on 5-of-8 from long range as Mercyhurst (8-2) ran away from Slippery Rock (1-6), 75-43, at the MAC.

Wilkinson was 5-of-9 overall from the floor and also had three assists and three steals. Avi Fogel added 14 on 5-of-11 shooting with a pair of threes and four assists. Richard Field scored 13 points on 5-of-6 from the floor. Andy Kubinski scored 11 on 4-of-4 shooting with three assists. Both Fogel and Cory Tubo had five rebounds.Jeff Daisley blocked four shots.

Jamar Scales was the lone Rock player in double figures with 14 and Dejan Jancic added 13 rebounds.

Mercyhurst broke the game open with a 21-5 run to close the first half, powered by the two of Wilkinson's five triples. The Lakers used the run to jump out to a 44-21 halftime lead.

Field scored eight of his 11 as Mercyhurst scored the first 13 points of the second half, increasing their lead to 57-21 in the process.

Mercyhurst shot 44 percent from the floor, but hit 11-of-24 threes for 46 percent. Slippery Rock shot just 35 percent and attempted only four threes in the contest.

Mercyhurst's 11 threes were a season-high for the Lakers. Mercyhurst also grabbed 18 steals, while forcing a season-high 30 turnovers.

The 43 points allowed were a season-best performance by the Laker defense.

Slippery Rock held a 34-30 rebounding advantage, but the Lakers grabbed 16 offensive boards.

MC held a 34-10 advantage on points off turnovers. The Laker bench outscored the Slippery Rock reserves, 28-18.

Wilkinson's five threes were the most for a Mercyhurst player since Jawad Ali made five on February 10 of last season. Mercyhurst is now idle until December 29 & 30, when the Lakers head to the St. Michael's tournament for games against Teikyo Post and Corncordia (N.Y.).