Feb. 27, 2007

Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Mercyhurst held the GLIAC's top three-point shooting team to just 3-of-13 as the Lakers claimed their first ever GLIAC postseason win, 59-54 over Wayne State at the MAC.

Avi Fogel scored 19 to lead Mercyhurst (18-10) to its first postseason victory in 28 years. The senior point guard added five assists. Richard Field added 10 and was the only other Laker in double figures.

The Lakers used an 18-2 advantage in points off turnovers to jump out to a 29-22 lead at the break. Mercyhurst forced the Warriors into 13 of their 18 turnovers during the first 20 minutes.

Wayne State (13-13) opened the second half with a 13-5 run to claim a 35-34 lead with 14:36 left in the game. Later, with the score tied at 44, Fogel reversed the ball to Field for a three with 6:21 left in the game to give the Lakers a 47-44 advantage.

Kris Krzyminski gave Wayne State its last lead, 48-47, with 4:04 left, but Field found Fogel for a lay in on Mercyhurst's next possession, and the Lakers never trailed again.

Wayne State had one last chance. Down three with 25 seconds to play, the Lakers forced Joe Carr into a turnover to erase a chance to tie the game. Fogel iced the game with a free throw with 17 seconds to play.

Krzyminski led all players with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting. The senior guard also had seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. Jason Saddler added 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Wayne State dominated the glass, 38-23.

The Warriors came into the game shooting over 41 percent from long range, but the Lakers stepped up the perimeter defense and held the team to just 23 percent in the game.

Shelby Chaney added three blocks for Mercyhurst.

It was the sixth straight win for Mercyhurst in the series, and the third in 2006-07.

The win was Mercyhurst's first in six tries in the GLIAC postseason. It was also the team's first postseason win of any kind since joining the NCAA in the 1980s and the first since a 73-67 win over St. Vincent in the NAIA District playoffs in 1978.

With the win, Mercyhurst advances to the GLIAC semifinals for the first time in school history. The Lakers will play Findlay, the host of the conference tournament's final two rounds, at 6 p.m. Friday. No. 3 seed Northern Michigan will play No. 2 seed Grand Valley State in the other semifinal at 8 p.m. Friday. The championship game will take place Saturday at 7 p.m.