Nov. 18, 2007

Box Score

Elkins, W.Va. - One day after surrendering 86 points in a loss to Felician, the Mercyhurst men's basketball team cranked up its defense and held Columbia Union to just 28.8 percent shooting and 46 points in a consolation round win at the Davis & Elkins Tip-Off Tournament.

Each of Mercyhurst's first two opponents shot 49 percent or better, but the Lakers, who have finished ranked in the top five in the GLIAC in scoring defense in each of head coach Gary Manche's four seasons, returned to its trademark of stifling, pressure defense, creating 20 turnovers and holding Columbia Union to just three 3-point field goals.

Offensively, the Lakers drilled 45.3 percent of its shots and senior Terry Smith, coming off a 25-point performance against Felician, totaled 21 and hit all of Mercyhurst's 3-pointers, going 5-of-11.

Columbia Union managed to stay close only until the six minute mark of the first half when the back-to-back steals by junior Brian McTear turned into layups by T.J. Mathis and Milos Bogetic, giving Mercyhurst a 25-15 edge. McTear continued the run when he sank two free throws and yet another steal by Mathis turned into a Smith two-pointer.

Bogetic hit for two on the next possession and Mathis' second steal in the three-minute span ended in a 3-pointer from Smith. Smith's bomb capped a 13-0 run that put the Lakers up 32-15.

The Lakers continued to bury Columbia Union to start the second half, pushing the advantage to as much as 42-17 on two free throws from Mathis at 16:22.

Mathis finished the game with eight points, a season-high six assists and five steals. His counterpart McTear tossed in 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He also handed out four assists.

Mercyhurst returns from the Davis & Elkins Tip-Off Tournament with a 2-1 season mark and will look for its third win of the season at Slippery Rock on Tuesday evening. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m.