Feb. 3, 2007

Stats

HOUGHTON, Mich. - Mercyhurst outscored Michigan Tech 17-2 over the final eight minutes of the first half on its way to a 66-59 win at SDC Gym. Four players scored in double figures for the Lakers, led by Shelby Chaney's 19.

The Huskies (12-11, 7-7 GLIAC North) led 17-10 after a three-point play by Sean Geary, but Mercyhurst (15-7, 7-5 GLIAC South) held Michigan Tech to just 1-of-7 shooting with four turnovers for the rest of the half to take a 27-19 lead into the intermission. Terry Smith, who finished with 17 points, scored all seven of his first half points in the game-breaking run.

Mercyhurst built its lead to double figures on three occasions in the second half, the last coming after a three-point play by Mitch Brennan with 9:06 left to play that gave the Lakers a 49-39 edge. But Michigan Tech battled back and trailed by just three after a three by Radayl Richardson made it 57-54 with 2:01 remaining.

The Lakers regrouped and Smith scored after an offensive board by Chaney with 1:04 left to stretch the lead to five. Mercyhurst then hit 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to negate five points from Robby Springborn in the final 25 seconds.

Chaney was 7-of-13 from the floor and a perfect 5-of-5 from the line. The big man is 28-of-35 from the charity stripe over the past four contests.

Smith drained 7-of-11 for his fourth consecutive double figure effort off the bench.

Richard Field and Avi Fogel added 10 each for the Lakers.

While Tim Strom scored 17 and Richardson added 16 for the Huskies, Mercyhurst hounded the duo into poor shooting efforts. Despite combining for 33 points, the Huskies' two leading scorers hit just 12-of-34 field goals in the contest.

Mercyhurst shot 49 percent in the game (24-of-49) and went 13-of-6 from the line (81 percent). The Lakers also ocmmitted only eight turnovers in the win.

The win kept Mercyhurst in sole possession of second place in the GLIAC South with a 7-5 record. Wayne State defeated Ashland, bringing both squads to .500 in conference action. Ashland is 7-7, with the Warriors checking in at 6-6.

Mercyhurst returns home next weekend to host Wayne State and Hillsdale in the final two home regular season contests of the season. Wayne State visits the MAC at 8:00 PM on February 8, with Hillsdale following on February 10 at 3:00 PM.