Jan. 31, 2008

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Trailing by two with 10 seconds left in regulation, Mercyhurst's Terry Smith cooly sank two free throws to send the game into overtime. From there, T.J. Mathis scored six points, leading the Lakers a 74-68 overtime victory over visiting Northwood Thursday evening.

Smith's free throws near the end of regulation capped a stirring comeback in which the Lakers rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit. Mercyhurst fell behind seven minutes into the contest and slowly chipped away in the second frame using an improved defensive effort and timely shooting.

With 1:14 left in the second, junior Brian McTear converted a 3-point play that cut the lead to 60-58. On Northwood's ensuing possession, Anthony Terry picked the pocket of Tony Marcotullio, setting up a fast break bucket by Ryann Bradford that knotted the game at 60. Northwood answered with a layup, but Smith sent the game to OT tied 62-62 with his two free throws.

The two squads traded points through the first three minutes of overtime. Mathis hit two free throws with 1:54 remaining to tie it at 68. Freshman Iddo Cohen blocked Northwood's next shot, and after a Laker timeout, Mathis drilled a jumper from the left wing to give Mercyhurst the lead for good.

Cohen came up with another block and Mathis and McTear put the win away with four-straight free throws in the final 23 seconds.

After shooting just 35.7 percent from the field in the first half and allowing Northwood to sink 53.3 percent of its attempts, the Lakers knocked down 13-of-25 in the second and 3-of-4 from the field in overtime, while limiting Northwood to just 9-of-24 shooting in the second and 1-of-8 in overtime.

Mercyhurst also made good from the charity stripe, drilling 12-of-14 after halftime.

Smith led all scorers with 23 points. He also pulled down six rebounds and recorded four steals. McTear scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half and overtime, giving him three 20-point performances in his last four games.

Mathis finished with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Sophomore Ryann Bradford pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds. Cohen blocked four shots, including two in overtime.

Mark Barnes led Northwood with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

The Lakers improve to 11-10 overall and 5-6 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) with the win and boost their winning streak to three games. The win also pushes the Lakers into a tie with Northwood (10-10, 5-6) for the third playoff spot in the GLIAC South Division.

Mercyhurst hosts Saginaw Valley State Saturday at 3 p.m. At halftime, the Mercyhurst Athletic Department will honor the 1972-73 and 1977-78 teams. Fans are encouraged to wear 70's garb and the best dressed will win prizes.