Jan. 20, 2007

Stats

ERIE, Pa. - Avi Fogel's first field goal of the game gave him 1,000 career points and started him on his way to a game-high 22 points to lead Mercyhurst over Lake Superior State, 66-62 at the MAC.

Shelby Chaney also had a strong performance, pouring in 15 points - all in the second half - and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Mercyhurst trailed 14-9 in the early going after a lay up by Tim Van Oudheusen with 10:11 left in the half. But Fogel's three with 9:51 left not only gave him 1,000 career points, but started an 8-0 run that gave the 'Hurst a 17-16 advantage.

Mercyhurst led 31-24 at the break.

After a three-point play by Chaney gave Mercyhurst its biggest lead, 36-24, Lake Superior State scored 13 straight points to claim a 37-36 lead with 13:50 to play. A three-point play by Fogel and three-pointer by Terry Smith quickly erased the defecit and LSSU never lead again.

Lake Superior would eventually tie the game at 51-51 with 5:31 left, but Fogel got a bucket on the next possession to give Mercyhurst the lead for good.

A three-point play by Ryan Kuhl gave Lake Superior State on last gasp as Mercyhurst led by only three, 62-59, with 1:24 to play. But, after Mike Rader and Mark Morse missed threes on LSSU's next possession, Chaney and Fogel each sank a pair of free throws down the stretch, rendering Rader's triple with two seconds left meaningless.

Fogel hit 9-of-14 shots and all three of his free throws for his game-high point total. Chaney was just 3-of-8 shooting but erased that with a 9-of-11 performance at the line.

Richard Field and Terry Smith added 10 apiece for the 'Hurst. For Smith, the Mercyhurst sixth man, it was his second straight game in double figures.

Fogel finished the game with 1,019 career points making him the second Mercyhurst player this year to hit the 1,000-point barrier. Chaney had hit the mark earlier this season.

Rader came off the bench to lead Lake Superior with 13 points. Morse added 11 and Kuhl and Garrett Konuszewski had 10 apiece.

Mercyhurst committed just eight turnovers in the contest.

Mercyhurst will look to make it three straight wins when crosstown GLIAC rival Gannon visits the MAC on January 27 at 8:00 PM. Ticket distribution for the game will be exclusively for the Mercyhurst community on Monday and Tuesday. Students with an ID receive one free ticket and may purchase up to three additional tickets. Faculty, Staff, Administration with ID/President's Card receive 2 free tickets and may purchase up to 2 additional tickets. Please note that there will be no tickets sold at the door and President's Cards will not be honored at the door.