Dec. 17, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Paris Pugliese scored five of her career high 21 points during a critical stretch late in the second half and the Mercyhurst women's basketball team defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 76-72 Monday night. Stephanie Prischak added two free throws with six second left to seal the victory.

Mercyhurst led by as many as 18 points in the first half but West Virginia Wesleyan closed to within two at 60-58 with 6:16 to play in the game. Pugliese nailed a three pointer and followed with a lay-up that kept the Bobcats at arms length.

The Lakers led by nine points with 2:44 to play but an Angela Tassari lay-up with 10 seconds left made the score 74-72. West Virginia Wesleyan sent Prischak to the line and she converted on the free throw attempts that put the game away.

Pugliese scored her 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Four other Lakers scored in double figures, led by Prischak and Lindsay Whipkey with 12 each. Amy Achesinski added 11 points and seven rebounds and Samantha Loadman finished with 10 points.

After trading baskets for four minutes, Mercyhurst took over and built an 18 point lead on two occasions in the opening half. West Virginia Wesleyan cut the deficit to 11 points by the break at 37-26.

The Mercyhurst Lakers will travel to NYIT on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip-off.