Box Score

Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team held tough against Edinboro in the first half, but the Fighting Scots pulled away in the second half, claiming a 67-52 road victory over the Lakers Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Mercyhurst's Amy Achesinski posted her fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Edinboro junior Samantha Reimer scored 31 points to lead her team to victory. 

Edinboro scored the first basket of the game, before Achesinski made two free throws and added a layup on Mercyhurst's next two possessions to give the Lakers a 4-2 lead. The teams traded baskets over the next four and a half minutes, and a Lindsay Whipkey jumper tied the game at 8-8 with 13:33 remaining in the first half. The Fighting Scots went on a 7-0 run over the ensuing three minutes to take a 15-8 lead. Whipkey scored six of the next seven Mercyhurst points in a 7-2 surge that trimmed the margin to two points at 17-15 with 8:23 to go in the first half. 

The teams played back-and-forth basketball over the next four minutes, and the Lakers trailed 27-22 after Janeale Ronai made a free throw with 4:16 remaining in the opening half. Edinboro outscored Mercyhurst 10-4 over the balance of the first half and took a 37-26 lead into intermission. 

Edinboro shot 51.7 percent from the field and made all seven free throw attempts in first half. Mercyhurst shot 40 percent from field goal range and 75 percent from the foul line. Neither team made a three-pointer in the opening session. 

After Edinboro made the first field goal of the second half, Samantha Loadman made a three-pointer to pull the Lakers to within 10 points with 18:30 left in regulation. Mercyhurst cut the deficit to 10 points twice more, with the second occasion happening on a three-pointer from Achesinski that made the score 48-38 with 13:25 remaining in the contest. Edinboro built its lead to 17 points at 58-41 with 9:39 left in the game. The Fighting Scots maintained their double-digit lead the rest of the way, prevailing 67-52. 

For the game, Edinboro shot 47.2 percent from the field and 87.5 percent from the foul line. The Lakers shot 32.1 percent from the field and 72.2 percent on free throws. Mercyhurst won the rebounding battle 37-35, including 16-8 in offensive boards. Both teams committed 19 turnovers.

The Lakers fall to 9-13, 3-6 in PSAC West play with the loss, their fourth straight. Edinboro sweeps the season series against Mercyhurst and is now 13-9 overall and 4-5 in the PSAC West. 

Achesinski recorded her 11th career double-double and fourth this season, scoring 18 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. She shot 6-of-9 from the field, made one three-pointer, and hit five out of six free throw attempts. Additionally, she led with two blocked shots and tied for the team lead with three steals. She also had a double-double Jan. 21 at Edinboro, with 29 points and 14 rebounds. 

Whipkey scored 12 points and added a season-high seven rebounds in 25 minutes. 

Jackie Artise scored five points, making one out of two three-pointers. Megan Hoffman and Loadman scored four points each, while Abby Allen and Stephanie Prischak evenly split six points. Allen tied for the team lead with three steals and two assists. Nikki Frederickson contributed two points and two assists. Ronai added one point. 

Edinboro was led by Samantha Reimer's career-high 31 points on 10-of-20 shooting and 9-of-9 from the foul line. Kelsey Conklin chipped in with 15 points and seven rebounds. 

The Lakers take on No. 11 Indiana (Pa.) Saturday at 1 p.m. at the MAC.