Box Score

Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team placed four players in double-figures, pulling away late for an 80-66 win over visiting Slippery Rock Wednesday in the Lakers' first-ever PSAC West game. Stephanie Prischak led all scorers with 21 points. 

The Lakers are now 7-7, and 1-0 in PSAC West play. Slippery Rock falls to 5-9, including 0-1 in the PSAC West. 

Head Coach Deanna Richard earned her 75th career collegiate coaching win in the victory. 

The Rock scored a basket shortly after the opening tipoff, but that proved to be their last lead of the contest. Mercyhurst took over from that point, scoring the next six points, a run consisting of two Amy Achesinski layups and a field goal by Prischak. Slippery Rock tied the contest at 6-6 three and a half minutes into the ballgame, and then the Lakers caught fire, outscoring The Rock 20-5 over the next nine minutes to take a 26-11 lead. The Lakers hit four three-pointers during the surge, getting one each from Jackie Artise, #Abby Allen, Prischak and Samantha Loadman#. The Lakers carried the momentum for the rest of the half, getting a three from Nikki Frederickson to provide the 36-21 halftime lead. 

Mercyhurst shot 14-of-30 from the field in the first half, including 6-of-15 from three-point range. The Rock shot 38.5 percent from the field in the opening session. Mercyhurst turned 10 Slippery Rock turnovers into 13 points in the first half. 

Slippery Rock steadily trimmed the deficit in the second half, cutting the margin to single digits early in the session. The Lakers kept pace for a majority of the half, and the Rock got to within six points halfway through the second half. Mercyhurst then went on a 7-0 run, keyed by Achesinski, Stevie Spetoskey and Megan Hoffman, building its lead back to 13 points at 57-44 with 8:30 remaining. 

Slippery Rock then went on a furious rally, outscoring the Lakers 13-4 over the next four and a half minutes to get to within four points at 61-57. On the ensuing Laker possession, Hoffman grabbed an offensive rebound, hit a shot while being fouled, and converted the free throw to complete the three-point play and quell The Rock's momentum. The Lakers controlled play over the final three and a half minutes, outscoring the visitors 16-9 to pull away for the 80-66 victory. 

The Lakers exhibited effective shooting all evening, hitting 20 out of 21 free throw attempts and shooting 51 percent from the field, including 10 of 22 attempts from behind the arc. The Rock shot 45.6 percent from the field, 23.1 percent from three-point range, and 68.8 percent from the free throw line. 

Mercyhurst has won seven out of 14 games this season, equaling its win total from 2007-08. 

The Lakers placed four players in double figures, the second time that has happened this season. The Lakers had four players score in double figures in their season-opener, an 83-47 win over Glenville State Nov. 19. 

Prischak scored 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, and hit two three-pointers. She is closing in on 1,000 career points, having scored 976 points in 79 career games. 

Hoffman, making her first career start, led the Lakers with seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while also contributing eight points, all career highs. 

Achesinski scored 14 points and shot 4-for-4 from the line. 

Artise continued her hot shooting from outside, netting three three-pointers on four attempts and nailing all four free throws, finishing with a season-high 13 points. 

Loadman contributed ten points, including two three-pointers, and added three assists. Allen scored a career-high seven points while shooting 4-for-4 form the line. Lindsay Whipkey and Spetoskey evenly split four points. 

Slippery Rock was led in scoring by Nikki Presto, who had 19 points and six rebounds. Amanda Nero scored 14 points. 

Mercyhurst's 10 three-pointer outing Wednesday marks the third game in which the team has hit 10 or more three-point goals this season. 

The Lakers travel to play No. 12 Indiana (Pa.) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the first leg of their three-game PSAC West road trip that also includes games at Edinboro and Lock Haven.