Jan. 11, 2007

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - Less than a month ago, the Mercyhurst men's basketball team dominated Northwood in the championship game of the Mercyhurst Tournament, winning 72-43. In Thursday night's rematch, Northwood caught fire, shooting 68 percent in the second half, to defeat the Lakers 74-66.

The first half was an offensive struggle for both teams and Northwood went into the break with a 26-20 lead. But once the second half began, both teams found their offensive rhythm.

Mercyhurst more than doubled its offensive output in the second half by scoring 46 points, but Northwood was unconscious and seemed to come up with an answer every time the Lakers attempted to get back in the game. The Timberwolves made their first 10 shots of the second half, including five three-pointers, to build a double-digit lead midway through the period.

While Mercyhurst attempted to fight back numerous times, Northwood always converted when it needed to. The Lakers best opportunity to get back into the game came in the final five minutes when they scored eight straight to get within five points at 66-61 with 1:34 to play.

But Northwood made 8-of-9 free-throws down the stretch without attempting a shot and the Lakers misfired on three consecutive three-point attempts that could have cut the deficit to four points.

Avi Fogel ended with a game-high 25 points and added five rebounds. Richard Field had 14 points and Shelby Chaney ended with 11.

Northwood improves to 6-8 on the year and 2-4 in the GLIAC, while the Lakers fall to 11-5 and 3-3. Mercyhurst will try to bounce back at Saginaw Valley State Saturday at 3 p.m.