Box Score

Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team staked a 33-26 halftime lead in the 2009-10 season opener vs. W. Va. Wesleyan Sunday, Nov. 15, but the visiting Bobcats stormed back in the second half for a 66-56 victory at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Junior Amy Achesinski led the Lakers with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while WVWC's Lydia Bridenbaugh led all scorers with 21.

The teams traded the lead several times in the early going, and the Bobcats took their biggest lead of the half with a layup that made it 19-15 with 7:02 remaining. The Lakers went on an 18-7 run for the rest of the half, fueled by 14 points from Amy Achesinski and four courtesy of Nikki Frederickson. Mercyhurst capitalized on turnovers, recording baskets in transition while also finding players open in the paint. The Lakers outscored the Bobcats 18-6 in the paint during the first half. Mercyhurst took a 33-26 advantage into intermission.

Achesinski led all players in the first half with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Lydia Bridenbaugh scored 12 points during the first half for WVWC.

W. Va. Wesleyan put the clamps down defensively during the second half, holding Mercyhurst to just 23 points over the final 20 minutes. The visitors scored the first nine points of the session to take a 35-33 lead with 14:34 left on the clock. A Dana Banda three-pointer gave the Lakers a one-point lead on the next possession. WVWC built its lead to 13 points at 58-45 with 3:34 left in the contest before Mercyhurst made a late rally. 

Samantha Loadman hit a three to cut the deficit to 10 points at 58-48, and then Achesinski converted a three-point play to pull the Lakers to within seven. Loadman nailed another triple with 1:04 to go, capping a 9-0 Mercyhurst run and slicing the WVWC lead to four points. The Bobcats pulled away with free throws during the final minute, posting the 66-56 victory.

For the game, Mercyhurst shot 41.7 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from downtown, while also sinking 11-of-14 free throws. W. Va. Wesleyan hit 44.4 percent of its shots, and made 23 out of 28 foul shot attempts.

Mercyhurst won the battle of the boards, 30-27, and the Lakers hauled in 12 offensive rebounds. The Lakers recorded nine steals to WVWC's seven, but Mercyhurst committed 26 turnovers and the Bobcats turned the ball over 18 times.

Achesinski registered her 14th career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. She has scored 20 or more points 13 times in her career, including in the last two season openers.

Loadman scored 10 points and added five rebounds and two steals. She made 2-of-6 from behind the arc, moving her into a tie for ninth all-time in three-point goals in program history with 104. 

Frederickson tallied nine points and added three assists and two steals. Banda scored seven points while registering three assists in her Mercyhurst debut. Abby Allen totaled five points, three assists and two steals. Kelsey Gordon contributed three points, while Lindsay Whipkey added one basket.

Bridenbaugh scored 21 points to lead four Bobcats in double-figures, as Danae Hill and Angela Tassari each had 11 and Jamie Kauffman 10.

Mercyhurst holds a 6-3 lead in the all-time series against W. Va. Wesleyan, but the Bobcats have won the last two meetings.

The Lakers next play at Salem International Friday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. in the first meeting between the two teams.