Feb. 9, 2006
Stats
Detroit, Mich. - Avi Fogel scored a game-high 28, but none were bigger than the two free throws with 2.4 seconds left that gave Mercyhurst (18-5, 8-5 GLIAC) a 62-61 win over Wayne State at the Matthei Complex.
Fogel hit 9-of-11 field goals, with two threes and sank 8-of-11 free throws in the contest.
The Lakers trailed by 12, 39-27, with 15:55 to play after a pair of free throws by Wayne State's (9-12, 4-9 GLIAC) Will Pierce. A three-pointer by Terry Smith started a 14-2 Laker run that tied the scorer at 41-41 just five minutes later and included seven of Smith's 16 points.
From that point on there five ties and 11 changes as the teams battled back and forth.
After a Jeff Daisley jumper in the lane gave Mercyhurst a 52-51 lead, Jacob Black hit his first three-pointer of the season to put the Warriors ahead. Black then assisted on a Kris Krzyminski triple as Wayne State built a five-point, 57-52 lead with just 2:24 to play.
But Mercyhurst was not done yet. With 1:21 left, Smith stole an errant pass by Krzyminski and was fouled. His two free throws pulled the Lakers within a point at 59-58. After another Warrior turnover, Fogel hit a leaner in the paint for a 60-59 Mercyhurst advantage with just 22 seconds remaining. On Wayne State's next possession, the Warriors moved the ball to Herb Goliday, who drove to the bucket to reclaim the lead with just seven seconds to play, setting up the dramatic finish.
Mercyhurst called a timeout after moving into the frontcourt. On the inbounds play, Fogel came off a double screen and was fouled on his way to the basket. He calmly sank both free throws for the win. A last second play by the Warriors was broken up by Stu Anglum.
Fogel and Smith were the lone Lakers in double figures. Smith continued his hot shooting, canning 5-of-10 shots with three three pointers. Fogel scored 18 of his 28 in the second half to help bring the Lakers back. The junior had four steals and Smith had three as the Lakers forced Wayne State into 15 turnovers.
In the first half, Mercyhurst committed 14 turnovers as Wayne State jumped out to a 32-24 lead at the break. Mercyhurst held a 22-20 lead after two Fogel free throws, but the Warriors closed the half with a 14-2 run over the final 6:16.
The Lakers held Wayne State to just 40 percent shooting (21-of-53) and 3-of-11 on threes. Mercyhurst stepped up its defense in the second half, holding the Warrior to just four of their first 21 shots in the final 20 minutes. The Lakers, meanwhile, hit on 54 percent of their shots (22-of-41). The 'Hurst also took better care of the ball in the second half, committing just three turnovers.
Wayne State won the battle on the boards, 33-22. Krzyminski led the Warriors with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, but turned the ball over six times. Goliday added 14 and Black was the third Warrior in double figures with 11.
The win was Mercyhurst's fourth in a row and seventh in its last eight games. It also gave Mercyhurst a season sweep in the series for the first time since 1997-98.
With his 28 points, Fogel nearly matched the 29 he scored in the first meeting between the two teams, also a Laker win.
The Lakers will look for another road victory on Saturday, February 11, when they travel to Hillsdale for a 3:00 PM GLIAC contest.
