Jan. 24, 2008

Box Score

Hillsdale, Mich. - The Mercyhurst women's basketball team could not keep up with the offensive pace of the Hillsdale Chargers and suffered a 71-37 defeat Thursday night. Mara Dreiser was the only Laker to score in double-digits with 10 points, while three Chargers tallied 18 points or more.

The difference in the game came when Mercyhurst committed 34 turnovers to the Chargers' 12. Hillsdale also recorded 16 steals against the Lakers. The teams remained close on the boards though with Hillsdale bringing down the ball 38 times to Mercyhurst's 34.

In the first half, the teams stayed within two points of each other until the 14 minute mark when Hillsdale went on a 17-0 run to stretch its lead out to 25-8 over the Lakers. Mercyhurst never fully recovered from Hillsdale's offensive burst, ending the half at 41-17. Trailing by no less than 24 points the entire second half, Mercyhurst could come back from its first half deficit.

Backing up Dreiser offensively for the Lakers was Stephanie Prischak with nine points and two assists. Paris Pugliese contributed six points and five rebounds. Stevie Spetoskey also turned in four points and a career high nine rebounds.

Mercyhurst falls to 6-13 this year and 1-8 in the GLIAC. The Chargers improve to 14-3 overall and 7-2 in the conference.

Mercyhurst looks to bounce back against Wayne State Saturday. Game time is set for 1 p.m.