Nov. 15, 2007

Box Score

Mansfield, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's basketball team built a 15 point lead and held on to defeat Mansfield 67-61 in the season opener Thursday. It was the Lakers first season opener victory in six years since 2001.

First-year coach Deanna Richard guided her team to a 37-32 halftime lead and Mercyhurst never trailed in the second half. Mercyhurst shot 57 percent from the field and made 6-of-15 three pointers (40 percent). The Lakers also outrebounded Mansfield 41 to 33 to offset 34 turnovers.

Mansfield played like the better team early, scoring the first seven points of the game, but the Lakers followed with 12 of the next 14 to take the lead. The Mountaineers battled back to take a 25-21 lead with 3:38 to play in the opening half, but junior Stephanie Prischak scored six points in a 11-2 run to close the period.

Mercyhurst charged out of the gate in the second half and a Paris Pugliese lay-up put the Lakers ahead 49-34 with 12 minutes to play. Mansfield would not go away however and a Courtney Brooks three pointer with 3:12 to play got the Mountaineers within three at 59-56. On the Lakers next possession, freshman Samantha Loadman knocked down a three pointer and Mansfield never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

Freshman Amy Achesinski debuted in her first collegiate game with 17 points and 16 rebounds, making 6-of-8 shots. Prischak led all scorers with 23 points, and added four assists and three steals. Loadman, another freshman, ended with nine points, eight rebounds, and a steal.

Mercyhurst, 1-0, will play its home opener Saturday against Le Moyne. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.