Dec. 3, 2005

Stats

Erie, Pa. -

Avi Fogel poured in 29 points as Mercyhurst (6-1, 1-1 GLIAC South) defeated Wayne State (2-3, 0-2 GLIAC South), 65-61, in a GLIAC South contest at the MAC.

Fogel was 7-for-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from long range and 12-of-14 from the free throw line.  It was the most points in a game for a Laker in 2005-06 and the most since Terry Smith scored 30 against Bloomsburg on November 23, 2004.

Smith scored 13 for Mercyhurst and added three steals.  Andy Kubinski had 11 points and tied for the team-high with four rebounds.  Richard Field and Smith also had four boards.

The 6-1 start is tied for the fourth best beginning to a season at Mercyhurst.

Jeffrey Ferguson had 20 points and seven boards to lead the Warriors.  Herb Goliday added 14 and Curt Gilmore had 12.

Fogel scored nine points in the early going as the Lakers jumped out to a 16-7 lead to start the game.  That was Mercyhurst's largest lead of the half, as Wayne State cut it to 29-26 at the half.

In the second half, the Warriors stayed in the game by hitting 11-of-18 field goals (61 percent) and 9-of-10 free throws.  The Lakers, however, went to the foul line 29 times in the final 20 minutes, including 12 in the final minute.

Mercyhurst took its biggest lead of the second on a Smith free throw that made it 58-50 with 1:52 left.  The Lakers hit just six of their next 11 foul shots as Wayne State pulled to within three, 64-61 with seven ticks left on a three by Anthony Ighodaro.  The Warriors had to foul, and Fogel sealed the game with a free throw.

The Lakers shot 45 percent from the floor (19-of-42), while the Warriors hit 49 percent from field (19-of-39).  Wayne State held a 27-23 advantage on the glass.  Mercyhurst was 22-of-33 from the foul line, compared to 18-of-23 for Wayne State.

Mercyhurst will try for 7-1 when the Fighting Scots of Edinboro visit the MAC on Wednesday, December 7 for an 8:00 PM tip.