Feb. 18, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. -

Avi Fogel led all players with 27 points, but a 17-3 run by Ashland (17-8, 9-6 GLIAC South) erased a nine-point Mercyhurst (19-7, 9-7 GLIAC South) second half lead and the Eagles escaped the MAC with a 77-69 GLIAC victory.

Fogel, who has now scored at least 20 in three of the past four games, hit 10-of-18 shots in the contest.  He also tied the the team-high with five rebounds.

Mercyhurst held the Eagles without a field goal over the first 7:44 of the contest, jumping out to an 11-3 lead.  Ashland battled back and led 23-22 after a pair of free throws by Brett Bartlett with 5:07 left in the half.  Fogel struck back with one of his three three pointers in the game to start a 16-5 run to end the half that gave the Lakers a 38-28 lead.

In the second half, a fastbreak layup by Fogel gave the Lakers their biggest lead at 42-30 with 18:49 left to play.   With 14:35 remaining, Andy Kubinski slammed home a Stu Anglum miss on the break for a 48-39 edge.  But Javan Roberson and Rob McRae scored six points each in the 17-3 run as Ashland claimed a 59-53 lead with 6:37 left.

Terry Smith, who hit 4-of-8 from the field, was the only other Mercyhurst player in double figures with 16.

McRae and Matt Engler scored 16 apiece for Ashland.  Bartlett added 14 points and Greg Emmons grabbed eight rebounds.

The loss dropped the Lakers a half game behind Ashland for second place in the GLIAC South standings.

After hitting just 9-of-26 shots in the first half, the Eagles rebounded to hit 13-of-24 in the second 20 minutes and finished the game at 44 percent.  Ashland also hit just 26-of-38 from the foul line.

Mercyhurst hit on 44 percent of its shots as well, and hit 16-of-20 from the line.

Both teams committed 14 turnovers.

The Lakers will look to rebound with its regular season finale at crosstown rival Gannon on February 23 at 8:00 PM.  If Mercyhurst wins, the Lakers will have a chance at hosting a GLIAC playoff contest on February 28.