Jan. 14, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. -

Jeff Daisley scored a career-high 20 points as Mercyhurst (13-4, 3-4 GLIAC) held on to defeat Saginaw Valley (6-10, 1-6 GLIAC), 67-63, in a GLIAC contest.

Daisley hit 10-of-15 field goals to lead a Laker squad that hit 57 percent from the floor.  He also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and had a pair of steals.

Avi Fogel was the only other Mercyhurst player in double-figures, with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting.  The junior hit both of his three-point attempts and had five rebounds, five assists and two steals.  With four steals, Andy Kubinski ran his multi-steal game streak to eight.

Andrae Betts and Alex Daniel scored 12 points apiece for the Cardinals.  Chris Johnston added 10.  Mike Zuiderveen had six boards.  Sydney McDaniel had four steals.

Mercyhurst led 32-29 at the half, but built the lead to as many as 10 point on three occasions in the second period. 

A three-point field goal by Fogel put the Lakers ahead 66-56 with 3:00 minutes remaining.  After that, Saginaw Valley scored seven straight points to pull to within three, 66-63, with just a minute remaining.

Daniel hit a layup to start the comeback bid, followed by a pair of Betts free throws.  After a Terry Smith turnover, Adam Mughmaw hit a three with 1:08 remaining.  The two teams then traded turnovers until Smith stole the ball from Sydney McDaniel with 13 seconds left.  Smith was then fouled and sank one of two free throws to make it a two possession game.

Mercyhurst shot 57 percent for the game (26-of-46) and 56 (5-of-9) from long range.  As hot as they were, the team struggled from the line, converting just 10-of-22 (46 percent) of their charity attempts.

The Cardinals outrebounded Mercyhurst 28-26 in the game.  They shot 47 percent from the floor (22-of-47) and hit 8-of-19 threes (42 percent).

Mercyhurst forced Saginaw Valley into 20 turnovers.  The Lakers committed 15.

The win completed a weekend sweep in a pair of GLIAC games for the Lakers.

Mercyhurst will look to continue its winning streak when the Lakers hit the road next weekend for games at Ferris State on Thursday, January 19 and at Lake Superior State on Saturday, January 21.  Both games are conference contests.