Box Score
Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team outscored Clarion 30-18 in the second half Wednesday, prevailing 56-45 in front of 237 fans at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
Stephanie Prischak, honored before the game for scoring 1,000 career points, led the Lakers with a game-high 24 points.
After trailing by one point at intermission, the Lakers played with renewed intensity, scoring nine out of the first 10 points of the second half to take a 35-28 advantage with 17:22 left in the game, as
Megan Hoffman capped the surge with a layup. The Golden Eagles scored the next five points to trim the deficit to three points at 35-32, and trailed by three points again at 37-34 with 13:43 to go in the contest.
Mercyhurst promptly went on a 6-0 run over the ensuing 4:30 to take a 43-34 lead, receiving two points each from Prischak,
Lindsay Whipkey and
Abby Allen during the Lakers' burst. Clarion was unable to cut the margin closer than seven points the rest of the way, and Prischak scored nine out of the Lakers' final 13 points to help seal a 56-45 victory.
Turnovers proved costly for the Golden Eagles in the second half, as they committed 17 miscues which the Lakers turned into 20 points. For the game Clarion committed 24 turnovers to the Lakers' 19.
Mercyhurst pulled down 18 offensive rebounds and 44 total rebounds for the game, setting season highs in each category. The Lakers shot 34.9 percent from the field and just 19 percent from three point range, while Clarion shot 30.2 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free throw line for the game
With the win the Lakers are 9-9, 3-2 in PSAC West play, the first time Mercyhurst has been over .500 in conference play since they were 5-4 in the GLIAC after a 71-70 victory over Ferris State Jan. 6, 2001, which was also the last time the Lakers won back-to-back conference tilts. The Golden Eagles fall to 7-11, including a 1-4 PSAC West record.
The Lakers controlled play at the start of the game, storming out to a 12-4 lead just four minutes into the contest. Prischak made two jumpers,
Jackie Artise and Hoffman each hit a three-pointer, and
Amy Achesinski added a basket for the Lakers in their opening spurt. Over the next six minutes, Clarion went on a 7-0 run to pull to within one point at 12-11.
Mercyhurst held a slight lead until Clarion's Katrina Greer hit a three to give the Golden Eagles an 18-16 lead with 6:51 left in the first half. After Achesinski made a layup, the Golden Eagles built their lead to four points with four minutes remaining in the first half. Mercyhurst scored the next five points the take a 23-22 lead with 2:30 left in the first half. The visitors closed the half leading by one point, 27-26.
Both teams struggled from the field in the opening session, as the Lakers shot 35.5 percent from the field and the Golden Eagles shot 32.3 percent in the first half. Mercyhurst led in rebounds, 24-17, after one half.
Prischak led all scorers with 24 points on 11-of-26 shooting, and also led with three steals. She has scored 20 or more points on five occasions this season, including twice in PSAC West play. Prischak vaulted past three players and into 12th on Mercyhurst's all-time scoring list with 1,029 career points.
Achesinski scored nine points and tied for the team lead with six rebounds and a career-high four assists. Whipkey scored six points and recorded two steals. Hoffman totaled five points and tied for high rebounding and assists honors with six boards and four helpers. Allen recorded four points and six rebounds.
Samantha Loadman and Artise each made one three-pointer for three markers.
Janeale Ronai scored two points.
Bethany Koch led Clarion with 19 points, and Karina Greer added 12 points.
The Lakers continue their three-game homestand Saturday, Jan. 31, with a 1 p.m. tipoff against No. 3 California (Pa.), who is 16-2, 5-0 in the PSAC West.
