Nov. 26, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's basketball team used a furious late game rally to make Monday's game interesting but Slippery Rock held on for a 71-61 non-conference victory. Freshman Amy Achesinski posted her third consecutive 20-point game but the Lakers were unable to make up an 18-point second half deficit.

KellyAnn Staudinger's jumper with 3:53 to play put Slippery Rock ahead 65-48 but the Lakers quickly cut into that deficit. Paris Pugliese scored seven points as Mercyhurst scored 12 consecutive points in 2:17 to get within five at 65-60 with 1:36 to play in the game. Slippery Rock's Nikki Presto hit four free-throws down the stretch and the Rock withstood the comeback attempt.

Achesinski ended with 22 points and is now averaging 18.8 points per game over the first five games of her career. Pugliese added 11 points for the Lakers and Stephanie Prischak had eight points, five assists and four rebounds.

Slippery Rock slowly built the lead throughout the opening half, taking a 38-22 lead at the break. Mercyhurst shot 50 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes but only attempted 20 field goals after committing 13 turnovers.

The Lakers did a better job in the second half, turning the ball over just seven times. The team shot 58 percent over the final 20 minutes but made only 6-of-12 free-throws.

Mercyhurst is now 1-4 and will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference play Thursday when the Lakers host Michigan Tech at 6 p.m.